Carnival Corp. said it has finalized an
agreement with the government of St. Maarten and the Port of St.
Maarten to provide $34.5 million in funding for the construction of
a new two-berth cruise ship pier on the Caribbean island.
Carnival said that
the St. Maarten port currently has a four-berth pier and that the
addition would make it one of the largest cruise ports in the
region.
"Further enhancing
the island's cruise ship facilities is a winning proposition for
everyone with the end result being greater economic benefit for St.
Maarten and an expanded number of consumers introduced to the
exceptional beauty and charm of this superb location," said Howard
Frank, Carnival COO, in a statement.
Under the
agreement, Carnival said it is providing financing of $34.5 million
for the construction of a new pier that will be able to accommodate
two post-Panamax cruise ships and guaranteed it would bring a
certain number of passengers to the island.
Carnival said it
would have preferential berthing rights at the new facility for the
20-year period of the agreement, and that eight of Carnival Corp.'s
10 cruise brands would call on St. Maarten.
Carnival said that
construction on the new pier is scheduled to begin in December and
completed by 2009.
Royal Caribbean
Cruises also is reportedly funding the construction of a pier in
St. Maarten. The cruise line would only say that it was currently
talking with port authorities there, but would not say about
what.
But St. Maartens
Daily Herald newspaper reported that preparations are being made
for the construction of a Genesis-class pier that would be financed
in part by RCCL.
To
contact reporter Johanna Jainchill, send e-mail to [email protected].