BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, Aug. 08.2018 – FOLLOWING a walkthrough of the construction site for the second cruise pier at Port Zante, it was revealed that works are on track to be completed ahead of the 2019 cruise season.
The works, which are five percent complete, is being financed by several local agencies, including the National Bank of St. Kitts-Nevis – with the support of the Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC).
While updating the media at the recent walkthrough, Minister of Public Infrastructure, Ian Liburd revealed that all of the dredging works for the new facility have been completed in the first stage, with the second phase currently underway.
American Bridge, one of the subcontracted companies, started driving test piles in the second stage of the project. The Minister told reporters that the company is now in the process of driving the actual construction piles at the site.
Though the project is only five percent complete, the Minister is optimistic that the project will be completed within the next 15 months barring any major weather disruptions.
When completed, the docking facility will be 670 feet long and 60 feet wide; allowing for two Oasis class vessel – the world’s largest cruise liners – to be able to berth simultaneously.
“It is design to withstand one in 100-year cycle storms. And as we talk about ships, we had the Harmony of the Seas here. The latest ship that is afloat, the Symphony of the Seas, that, I am advised, is already listed to be here sometime next year. during their Caribbean sailing, as of November,” noted Liburd.
Prime Minister, Dr. Timothy Harris, in commending the minister for the progress of the construction, along with the captain whom he reminded is local, pledged his full support for the enhancement of the local economy from the project.
He pointed to the involvement of TDC and other players providing supplies of aggregates to the construction endeavor.
The investment was described as not only being important within the tourism sector, but also significant within the context of the economy.
“Because what we are investing in is the productive assets of our country, Dr. Harris noted.
The project is being funded to the tune of US 48 million, with the St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank (SKNANB) providing $34 million, the St. Kitts and Nevis Social Security Board $7 million, the St. Kitts and Nevis Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation (SIDF) $5 million and the St. Kitts and Nevis Trading and Development Company (TDC) has guaranteed $2 million.
The construction is being undertaken by CCC, with the primary contractor being JVD Driver, with Ocean Dredging Canada, American Bridge; Johnson Merman and Thompson; Kelly Construction and St. Kitts Marine Works being specialized contractors.
