The project to dredge the Charlotte Amalie Harbor and accommodate larger cruise ships has moved one step closer to beginning. Carlton Dowe, the Executive Director of the Virgin Islands Port Authority (VIPA), announced that VIPA has received the approved permit application from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This significant development will ensure improved access and navigability for cruise traffic, benefiting the local economy and supporting continued growth and development in the region.
The dredging project aims to provide a controlling depth of 12.1 meters (40 feet) in the main channel, 11.5 meters (38 feet) in the turning basin, and 10.9 meters (36 feet) at the West Indian Company (WICO) berths to accommodate larger vessels. This will enable the U.S. Virgin Islands to continue attracting the largest cruise vessels and maintain its position as a premier cruise destination in the Caribbean.
Governor Albert Bryan Jr. said, "This is another big win for the U.S. Virgin Islands. With the Virgin Islands Port Authority and our federal partners, we are transforming our main infrastructure in ways that will make history. Dredging Charlotte Amalie Harbor isn’t just about moving sand; it's about moving forward. By making room for bigger cruise ships, we are opening doors to more tourism and more investments. This is about boosting our economy and making sure our islands are not just a top-notch place to visit but also a leading economic force in the Caribbean."
VIPA plans to put the project out to bid within the next sixty days and anticipates that the project will begin by the second quarter of 2025. The dredging will take approximately 15 months to complete.
VIPA will host an Industry Day at noon on August 13, 2024, to provide more details about the project. Marine, dredging, and general contractors are invited to attend. The meeting will be held in the conference room on the third floor of the VIPA Administrative Building at 8074 Lindbergh Bay, St. Thomas. Persons interested in attending virtually may email info@viport.com to receive a Microsoft Teams meeting invitation.
Dowe expressed gratitude to the Bryan/Roach Administration for their support and for submitting two pieces of legislation to appropriate funding for the project. Additionally, he thanked WICO Chief Executive Officer Anthony Ottley and his team for the information provided and involvement in the process. Dowe also thanked the members of the 35th Legislature and Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett for their assistance in moving the project forward.
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