Active discussions are taking place on the feasibility of a green-powered ferry service that will link Guadeloupe to Antigua and Barbuda and other neighbouring islands.
To this end, a team from Guadeloupe held discussions on Wednesday here in St. John’s to assess the feasibility of a green-energy-powered ferry service under the EU-funded INTERREG Caribbean KARULINK project. Led by Guadeloupe’s private transport company STEPS, the initiative aims to connect Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, and St Kitts to Guadeloupe with an eco-friendly ferry network by 2027.
Facilitated by the Antigua and Barbuda Chamber of Commerce, the team met with key stakeholders, including the Port Authority and the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Trade to discuss logistics. On Thursday, they will identify suitable harbours for the pilot phase in 2026. Chamber Director Martin Cave supports the project, highlighting its potential to boost regional trade and align with international maritime regulations.
Support also comes from Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade, Ambassador Clarence Pilgrim, who noted that despite Antigua and Barbuda’s strategic geographical location, connectivity remains a challenge. “For example, Guadeloupe lies approximately 100 kilometers away, St. Kitts about 80 kilometers, and Dominica roughly 170 kilometers. Strengthening maritime links across these relatively short distances can significantly enhance trade, tourism, and economic cooperation. By improving transport infrastructure and services, we can reduce travel time, lower costs for businesses and consumers, and create a seamless flow of people and goods within our region,” he observed.
This initiative, he noted, presents an opportunity to boost the economy by improving the movement of goods, facilitating business partnerships, and increasing visitor arrivals.
Antigua and Barbuda is the first stop, with the team set to visit Dominica on Friday and St Kitts next week. If the project proves viable and profitable, national governments will decide how to sustain the service long-term.
The broader vision of the KARULINK project is to develop a comprehensive strategy for opening new maritime routes using environmentally friendly solutions. The ferry network will leverage smaller ports around Guadeloupe to facilitate seamless and sustainable inter-island travel.
