Holland American ship docks at Bridgetown

Holland America Line cruise ship Rotterdam was welcomed Monday on its inaugural call at the Bridgetown Port, signalling a new relationship with the American-owned subsidiary of cruise giant Carnival.

Minister of Maritime Affairs Kirk Humphrey and Minister of Tourism Senator Lisa Cummins joined port officials in greeting the vessel of 932 crew and 1,926 passengers.

Humphrey told the welcome ceremony that it has been a difficult two years for the cruise industry in Barbados with the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic. He said his ministry along with the ministries of tourism and health would continue to work on protocols for the industry that would create a safe environment for cruise passengers while helping to boost the economy.

Humphrey declared: “We’re very pleased to have the opportunity to partner with you on this first voyage of the Rotterdam to Barbados and certainly it won’t be the last… and in 2022 we will be having a sister ship the Nieuw Statendam joining us here in Barbados, as we continue to build out what we think is going to be an exciting and a meaningful partnership.”

Barbados expects to have 336 vessels bringing just over 372,000 passengers during the winter season, Humphrey said.

The ministry praised the Rotterdam’s Captain Bas van Dreumel for the ship’s environmental practices: “I know that on-board this vessel you’ve taken every precaution to make sure that in relation to garbage and waste you’ve treated the organic waste with some degree of respect; the ocean space with some degree of respect; you’ve treated to your sewage as well in a way that makes it favourable if discharged into the ocean, that also finds favour with me, and then of course on board this ship you have an environment officer who is a senior officer.”

He said during the welcome ceremony that the ministry was working on “building the legislation out in Barbados” on environmental management and over the next few years the legislative agenda set would put the island in line with the International Maritime Organization’s protocols and conventions.

Humphrey encouraged Captain van Dreumel to urge passengers to follow the COVID-19 protocols while on the island which include mask-wearing, social distancing and hand sanitising. (BT/BGIS)