Basseterre, St. Kitts – October 22, 2019. The St. Christopher Air & Sea Ports Authority (SCASPA) has announced a new date for the completion of the second cruise ship pier as November 8, 2019; a change triggered by irreparable damage to contractor equipment.
The Second Cruise Ship Pier Construction at Port Zante, undertaken on a Government to Government arrangement between The Canadian Government (acting through the Canadian Commercial Corporation, the Contractor) and the Government of St Kitts and Nevis (acting through SCASPA, the Employer) commenced in March 2018, with completion initially pegged for September 23, 2019.
This plan was scuttled in September when the passage of Tropical Storm Dorian impacted the ocean currents in and around St. Kitts and Nevis and further south of the Federation resulting in significant damage to three on-site operating badges. The damage to these badges consequently delayed completion time for the second cruise ship pier.
Expeditious measures were immediately taken by the Contractor to secure a replacement barge to complete the work. A barge was secured and is currently en-route to St. Kitts from the USA.
SCASPA expresses its assurances that the delay is minimal as the new facility is already at the 98% completion stage and will be completed on November 8th, 2019 in time to accommodate the 2019/2020 Cruise Season.
