Fees for cruise ships calling in the British Virgin Islands may increase, according to Ralph T. O'Neal, premier of the BVI.
At a dedication ceremony for the new tender dock and renovated cruise pier in Road Town, Tortola, O'Neal said that the port fees charged by the BVI are among the lowest in the region, according to the BVI Daily Platinum paper.
"For the time being we have been able to keep a low fee for the cruise ships, but I do not know how long that will last," he said, hinting that the Ports Authority is studying a rate increase.
The new tender dock will be used as a reception area for tenders from cruise ships at anchor and also by ferries taking passengers on tours.
Renovations to the cruise pier included resurfacing and landscaping. The pier is 700 feet long and wide enough to allow two ships to berth simultaneously.
Cruise ships calling in the BVI include the Carnival Freedom; Norwegian Pearl, Dawn and Spirit; P&O Cruises Aurora; Celebrity Millennium; and Disney Magic.