St. Lucia Cruise Port settles SLASPA debt of over $17 million

St. Lucia Cruise Port (SLCP), the new operator of the Castries cruise port, has settled more than $17 million in outstanding cruise-related debt on behalf of the St. Lucia Air and Maritime Port Authority (SLASPA). The substantial payment was made as part of the terms of the Cruise Port Management Agreement reached in April between the Government of St. Lucia and Global Ports Holding, the world’s largest cruise port operator of which St. Lucia Cruise Port is a subsidiary.

The announcement regarding the debt repayment came shortly after the launch ceremony of cruise port operations at the North Pier of the Port of Castries on April 30.

In late April, the St. Lucia Cruise Port team met with SLASPA executives to provide an update on project plans, discuss the transition of various responsibilities, and identify opportunities for collaboration. During the discussion, the team confirmed that all stevedoring services will continue to be retained by SLASPA and handled through its contracted stevedoring companies. SLASPA will also continue to be responsible for access to and from all ports of entry, including the Port of Castries. The SLASPA Port Police Department is responsible for overseeing security at the Port of Castries and ensuring compliance with the required International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) requirements.

This meeting was followed by consultations with the SLASPA Port Management Team in early May to confirm the operational plan, review and consider the berthing plan and cruise line support plan, as well as other maritime specific obligations in line with the Concession Agreement.

Lancelot Arnold, GPH Eastern Caribbean Director and General Manager of St. Lucia Cruise Port, recounted the development of the relationship between the SLASPA team and St. Lucia Cruise Port.

“We are well on our way to settling into our new relationship. It has been extremely helpful to work with the SLASPA executives and management team, who are very supportive of our plans and look forward to our progress. By collaborating and maintaining open lines of communication, we will further enhance the quality of our service and St. Lucia’s reputation as a top cruising destination,” said Arnold.

SLCP executives will meet with the SLAPSA engineering team and other key staff to share details of the investment plan and its expected benefits to port partners, tenants, local business owners and the community.

“The changes we (SLCP), the SLAPSA team and other partners will make today in this transformational process will have a positive impact on Saint Lucians for many years to come,” Arnold said, adding: “We are meeting with all stakeholders because we want everyone to see this vision, see its potential, and understand that they have an important role to play in driving our shared future. That is what this project is all about – all of us working together to create a better tomorrow.”

St. Lucia Cruise Port (SLCP), a subsidiary of Global Ports Holding Plc (“GPH”), was established to support the expansion and development of the cruise tourism industry in St. Lucia through agreements with the Government of St. Lucia for cruise-related developments and operations. Through a 30-year partnership, St. Lucia Cruise Port will work with local industry leaders and stakeholders to design and build new port infrastructure, enhance existing port facilities, and create more opportunities for Saint Lucians through the cruise industry and destination development.