Cruise port to construct temporary arrivals building

Nassau Cruise Port Limited (NCP) is undertaking the construction of a temporary arrivals building to support cruise passengers whenever the industry returns to sailing.

In a press statement, NCP explained that the building should be completed by February.

The cruise industry is not expected to return to pre-COVID-19 revenue levels until possibly the third quarter of 2021, though NCP expects to have cruise passenger traffic by the second quarter of the year.

“The steel structure is currently being installed, with the remaining components on track to be completed by February 2021. Bahamian engineering firm Island Dimensions & Development Company Ltd. is installing the 5,400-square-foot structure with the assistance of TMC Engineering Ltd. and a team of experienced Bahamian personnel,” the press statement revealed.

“Upon completion, the building will be used to manage the flow of passenger traffic through the port facility as construction continues through 2022.

“The building has been designed with an open-air concept to minimize congestion and support COVID-19 safety protocols.”

NCP has begun the redevelopment of Nassau’s cruise port in earnest, which is expected to become the envy of the region when completed near or before the end of the year.

Last month, both Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International announced the suspension of sailings through the end of February 2021 for most of their global itineraries.

Both cruise lines released statements explaining that they are still working through the stringent guidelines set by the United States’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) before they can begin taking on paying passengers.

Neither cruise line has made statements since countries across the world began the mass vaccination of citizens. The US, where most of The Bahamas’ cruise lines originate, has begun vaccinations as well. 

The Bahamas is awaiting its turn to receive vaccinations, which could take as long as the third quarter of 2021, according to some sources.

Downtown Nassau has become a ghost town due to the absence of cruise lines, which Ministry of Tourism officials contend brought up to 10,000 people per day.

By the end of February, cruise lines will be close to one year with almost zero revenue, with many smaller lines on the brink of financial ruin.

The post Cruise port to construct temporary arrivals building appeared first on The Nassau Guardian.

source https://thenassauguardian.com/cruise-port-to-construct-temporary-arrivals-building/