Port expansion nears completion as cruise traffic ‘surges’

Work on Berth 6 at the Bridgetown Port is set to be completed within the next three months, creating additional capacity for cargo and cruise ships, Tourism and International Transport Minister Ian Gooding-Edghill announced on Tuesday.
Speaking during the introduction of the Marine Transport Emissions Control Bill in the House of Assembly, Gooding-Edghill said the expansion was critical to meet growing demand. “We have been getting more cargo and cruise ships coming to Barbados, and we simply do not have enough berths available,” he explained.
The minister highlighted the importance of the new berth, particularly during the busy winter season. “What Berth 6 will do for us is that during the winter period especially, it will allow us to have additional ships coming into port, and at the same time it will also help us with the cargo ships that often times have to remain outside of the berth because they don’t have enough space.”
Gooding-Edghill also reported progress on other port developments. The shallow draft redevelopment is 96 per cent complete, while recent wave attenuation studies have proven effective. “When we had the hurricane recently, it held up well. In the shallow draft, you would not think there was a hurricane impacting Barbados because of the wave attenuation studies that were undertaken,” he said.
Plans are in place to acquire a mobile incinerator by March 2025, to be used during the transition to a permanent waste-to-energy facility.
The minister noted growing interest from smaller luxury cruise lines in facilities outside the main port. “Smaller luxury cruise ships are asking for facilities in Speightstown,” he said, adding that moorings are being installed to accommodate this demand.
The Marine Transport Emissions Control Bill aims to encourage ships to reduce fossil fuel consumption and regulate ship-sourced emissions.