| Home: Ports of Entry |
Home |
Email | 
|
DEEP WATER HARBOUR
Antigua has one of the best natural harbors in the region, and has capitalized on this by investing over $22 million to bring its facilities up to the level required by these ships. The renovation was done five years ago and has supplied new berthing facilities that can now accommodate four of the worlds largest and most modern cruise liners at the same time. The money went to dredging St. John’s harbor to a depth of 35 feet, widening the channel into the harbor, increasing the size of the turning circle so that the ships can maneuver.
The Deep Water Harbour handles all the cargo that is imported into Antigua, and at this point is prepared to handle any type of cargo. The Port Authority is also looking into renovations which should commence next year to further update the ports; and is constantly looking to make sure it remain up to date.
HERITAGE QUAY & NEVIS PIER
Nevis Street pier opened to recieve its first cruise ships on the 19th December 2002 with the two cruise liners Costa Romantica and Mistral. Berthing at the new pier meant that for the first time we have four ships in the harbour with an average of 7,000 passengers.
Most cruise ships dock at Heritage Quay or the Nevis Pier,or if both are occupied, the commercial pier at Deepwater Harbour. All are located in St.John's, the island's only town of any size, located on the island's western coast. The three piers have a total capacity of six ships. A handful of smaller vessels drop anchor at Falmouth Harbour, on the English Harbour main road in Falmouth, on the south side of the island. This anchorage is also used for overflow if the St. John's piers are all occupied. Heritage Quay was upgraded in December 2006, and renovations are planned for the Deepwater Harbour pier in late 2007. Long-term plans include a new cruise facility to handle the super mega-ships.
OTHER HARBOURS IN ANTIGUA
The Falmouth Harbour located on the southeast section of the island is also a place for berthing smaller cruise or leisure vessels.
English Harbour also located on the southeast section berths these vessel and is famous for our regatta sailing week.
Jolly Harbour marine which host smaller vessel such as yacths is a berthing area, located on the southern part of the island.
We are not forgetting our sister island Barbuda, which is in the process of developing its main port of entry to accommodate large cruise vessel and pleasure vessels.