Facelift for cruise facilities

SAJ President, Grantley Stephenson (left), presents the SAJ Export Award to Joost Visser, Demand Director at Red Stripe at the recent JEA Export Awards function in Kingston.

SOME OF the island's cruise shipping facilities are to receive a facelift shortly under a refurbishing programme, to be implemented by the Port Authority of Jamaica.

Giving details about this programme during his contribution to the 2001/02 Sectoral Debate in Parliament recently, Transport and Works Minister, Dr. Peter Phillips, said the Port Authority would embark on a major refurbishing programme, beginning with the Ken Wright Cruise Terminal and Pier in Port Antonio.

He explained that this would be part of the major marina development programme in Port Antonio, for which construction is slated to begin on July 16, 2001.

The Minister said Montego Bay would also get attention, with the objective of being promoted as the major cruise ship port in the region. The project will involve extension of berthing facilities; expansion and upgrading of the terminal area to enhance ambience and passenger comfort; development and beautification of surrounding areas to include recreation and shopping and the dredging of the ship channel and turning basin, among other activities.

"Together with the development of the physical facilities of cruise ports, the Port Authority intends to put in place appropriate regulations to ensure discipline and orderly movement of persons and vehicles in and out of the port," Dr. Phillips observed, adding that under the Port Authority Act, the regulations will specify procedures and guidelines for the various service providers.

"Appropriate penalties and sanctions will be attached to the regulations, which will be rigidly enforced. Only strict compliance will ensure renewal of permits to continue operating on the port," he stated.

Reporting on cruise ship traffic last year, Dr. Phillips said a total of 492 vessels visited Jamaica, conveying 921,780 cruise passengers. This compares with the 483 cruise vessel calls in 1999, carrying 799,907 passengers, which reflects increases of l.9 per cent in ship calls and 15.2 per cent in passenger traffic. Ocho Rios was the leading cruises destination accounting for 336 cruise vessel calls and 727, 800 passengers.

­ Contributed

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