Expansion Helps Port

With almost an acre of new space for its dockside operation, the Port Authority is now prepared to better handle the increasing volume of cargo shipments.

Port Director Paul Hurlston said the new expansion was handed over by the contractors -- Meisner Marine -- last week. It allows some 300 by 65 feet of additional dockside access to commercial vessels. The 0.8-acre space is already in use, allowing increased storage and mobility, as shipments are offloaded and taken to the Cargo Distribution Centre in the North Sound.

Mr. Hurlston reports that work is also progressing well on the adjacent project on the north end of the dock, the new Royal Watler Cruise Teminal. The 2.2-acre site, complete with a new finger pier for cruise tenders, is now in the final stages of ground preparation for surfacing. Following this, cruise passenger offices for Customs, Immigration, the Port and the Department of Tourism will be built, as well as premises for commercial stores.

To be completed by mid-year, this new site will facilitate up to eight cruise ships in George Town (to include continued use of the existing north and south terminals).