Officials at the sod-turning ceremony.
CASTRIES, St. Lucia--Parliamentary Representative for Castries Central, Richard Frederick, described the disruption caused by a major port redevelopment project in Castries and Soufriere as “temporary discomfort for long-term development”, during his remarks at a sod-turning ceremony marking the official start of the initiative. The project has already led to the relocation of vendors and fishermen near the Castries waterfront.
The government, the St. Lucia Air and Seaport Authority (SLASPA), and Global Ports Holding (GPH) signed a 30-year concession agreement on August 2, 2023, to finance, develop, manage, and maintain cruise-related infrastructure at the ports of Castries and Soufriere.
The project initially raised concern, with claims surfacing that the ports were being sold.
“I want to say, the ports are not sold … it’s a [Public-Private Partnership – Ed.] PPP for 30 years,” Frederick stated.
Prime Minister (PM) Philip J. Pierre also addressed rumours and speculation surrounding the agreement.
“They did not walk in and say ‘give them leases for 99 years for a dollar’. What they said was, ‘we will pay your debt – let us exchange – we will pay your debts that will give you fiscal space to do your work on the ports’,” Pierre explained. He emphasised that the savings from debt relief can now be invested in other areas, while GPH will focus solely on the cruise business at the ports.
In return, St. Lucia is expected to benefit from increased global marketing exposure through GPH, along with the development of a modern port complex and facilities.
The agreement paves the way for significant transformations at both ports. According to GPH Regional Director for the Eastern Caribbean and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of St. Lucia Cruise Port (SLCP) Lancelot Arnold, berth one – the dedicated cruise berth at Pointe Seraphine in Castries – will be upgraded.
“This is about future-proofing our port and meeting the demands of the cruise industry,” he stated.
To improve the disembarkation process for cruise passengers arriving by tender, a new tender jetty will be constructed beside the Vendors’ Arcade. Additionally, a modernised welcome zone will be built where the recently demolished Customs building once stood.
“The goal is seamless flow for guests and locals alike,” Arnold explained.
At Bananes Bay, plans are in place for a bold, community-driven redevelopment, including a reimagined fisherman’s village complete with restaurant spaces, kiosks, restrooms, a picnic area, and a proper slipway.
“We will work in partnership with the local fishers and other stakeholders to ensure the fisherman village is both sustainable and community-owned,” Arnold said.
The Vendors’ Arcade is also set to be “fully transformed”. During the ceremony, light-hearted suggestions were made to Minister of Tourism Ernest Hilaire to consider giving the facility a new, “sexy” name. However, it will remain under the management of the Castries City Council. “SLCP’s responsibility lies in building and assisting with maintaining the infrastructure,” Arnold continued.
In Soufriere, the redevelopment will include a new amphitheatre, retail kiosks, pedestrian greenways, and improved berthing facilities along the waterfront.
According to GPH Chairman and CEO Mehmet Kutman, work in Soufriere is set to begin next week, with hopes of completion by the end of the year. Regarding the overall project, Kutman said his hope is to finish all construction by July 2026. ~ St. Lucia Times ~
