Port of St. John’s already a transshipment hub for the OECS

The policy objective of the government of Antigua and Barbuda to make the Port
of St. John’s a major transshipment hub for goods earmarked for neighbouring
islands is already taking place on the ground.
General Manager of the Antigua Port Authority, Darwin Telemaque, who has been
promoting the country and its improved harbour facilities to the shipping
community, said this is already happening with one shipping line and discussions
are taking place to expand this operation with other shipping lines.
“On Saturday, we had a ship from Tropical Shipping, that brought in cargo for St.
Kitts, Dominica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia and a few other ports. A
Tropical vessel will then pick up these goods and take them to their respective
destinations; we are doing transshipment,” he declared.
He explained that transshipment is not something that the Port Authority has like a
signed document, saying it will do transshipment with them for the next three or
five years, but the reality is that it is already happening.
“We are discussing with them to make it more permanent, but it is happening and
we are excited about that. As a matter of fact, not only will we be doing that for
Tropical but there are one or two other parties with whom we are very close to
signing an agreement to do more transshipment,” he revealed.
Telemaque said this is important as Antigua and Barbuda has a role to play, not
only for its existence but for the OECS as well.
“For example, I have been touting the fact that this port that we just upgraded and
expanded, a US$100 million development, is what I call, the transshipment hub of
the OECS. That is, because it is here that we have the most capable operating staff,
the largest space to house both dry and refrigerated cargo, the largest container
space, the largest multiple berth locations, and the deepest harbour in the OECS is
here, and therefore I think with all of these things being said, I think this port is
prepared to serve the region and we are embarking to do so as we are doing with
Tropical,” he stated.