Montserrat govt signs contract to construct a port at Little Bay

The government of Montserrat signed the contract for the design and build phase of the Little Bay Port Development Project, with Meridian Construction BVI.

This major capital project, funded by the UK Caribbean Investment Fund, the European Union EDF 11 Programme, and supported by the Caribbean Development Bank, will create a new 130m jetty and associated infrastructure.

The project will create opportunity in the areas of trade, tourism, access, and the overall development of Little Bay.

Martin Parlett, Head of PMO, said, “Today marks the culmination of efforts from across GoM and our investment partners, to reach the final design and construction phase. We look forward to continuing to supporting the project team and working with Meridian to deliver the project on time, to budget and to the highest quality - through effective contract partnership and management.”

The port will provide long term regeneration of the economy and is being constructed as an an essential harbour for tourism. The port which will be constructed in Little Bay will provide a safe, climate-resilient harbour and it will cost around $24 million.

The main port at Little Bay was buried following the mid-90s Soufriere Hills volcano eruptions. Despite the fact that a tiny emergency jetty was built in 1997, the need for a new port remained still, which is why the government had announced the new port in 2021.