Completion of the dredging at both the St. John’s Harbour and at Crabbes Peninsula is likely to be achieved early in the New Year with government acquiring a new piece of equipment to complete the task.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has confirmed that the new equipment had been delivered in pieces and was currently being assembled by technicians.
This acquisition, he explained, was essential to complete dredging works, particularly in Parham Harbour (Crabbes). Existing equipment operated by Blue Ocean had proven incapable of handling heavy bedrock. Even a foreign firm, Dutch Dredging, had been unable to complete the task, leaving the government with no alternative but to procure this large, specialized machine.
The Prime Minister stated that the equipment should be operational within a week, and that a barge would also be leased from Guadeloupe within approximately two weeks. He expressed optimism that dredging could begin either just before or immediately after Christmas, first at Parham Harbour and then returning to St. John’s Harbour to complete remaining works.
Meanwhile, the prime minister expressed his satisfaction with the pace of work taking place at Global Ports Upland development. The Prime Minister noted the rapid pace of construction, particularly along Newgate Street, where multiple buildings are now visible. One major section is nearing completion, and by mid-next month, the new cruise terminal is expected to officially open.
The remaining retail shops are projected to be completed by April or May, marking the end of the first phase of development. A second phase will follow, positioning Antigua and Barbuda as a marquee cruise tourism destination, boasting some of the best facilities in the Caribbean — and, in some respects, rivaling those in Florida.
It was noted how closely connected the cruise ships are to the shore, creating an immersive and visually impressive experience for visitors and locals.
