St Kitts and Nevis: 37-feet long second cruise pier at Port Zante ready to berth oasis class ships

The second cruise port in Port Zante, St Kitts and Nevis, is ready and will become operational soon. Chief executive officer St. Christopher Air and Sea Ports Authority (SCASPA), Tuffida Stewart, declared on Wednesday.

"The Second Pier is ready to dock for next season and as early as next month," said Ms Stewart, referring to the expectation that additional cruise ships will be available.

She noted that dredging work was done by the contractor to allow for an additional layer of protection for the larger Oasis Class ships, which have often been used in the past.

"We have asked the contractor to dredge at 37 feet, and in some areas, they are crawling at 36 feet. Although the Oasis Class [ship] can safely lie at that level, SCASPA must pay attention to its interests and potential liabilities," and if we have a decline in ocean levels, that means in our view that we do not have enough mines, "Ms Stewart added.

As such, there are plans to carry out remedial dredging work at the commercial port at Bird Rock and Pier I in Port Zante. At Pier I, the east side of the pier is demolished to accommodate Oasis Class ships. The work will now integrate Pier II in Port Zante.

"When that is done, we will have the ability to bend an Oasis Class ship on each side on each pier," she said.

Ms Stewart added that some minor repairs were being made but assured that they would not affect the pier's skills when hosting the largest cruise ships in the world.