St. Maarten Announces $97.5M Cruise Pier Expansion Project

Project to Focus on the Expansion of Cruise and Cargo Operations

Philipsburg, St. Maarten, August 23, 2007 – The island of St. Maarten, commonly known as the “the culinary capital of the Caribbean”, is pleased to announce plans for a $97.5 million expansion of the islands existing cruise facilities. Servicing over one-million cruise passengers annually, the new cruise facilities currently under construction parallel to the existing pier, will measure 1,460 feet long by 50 feet wide and be able to accommodate the 220,000-ton genesis-class cruise ships. Additionally, the expansion project will add two-acres of land to the Great Bay area, connecting the new pier to the main thoroughfare in front of the John Craane Cruise Terminal Building.

“The cruise sector plays an integral role in tourism to St. Maarten,” said Director of Tourism Regina LaBega. “These exciting plans are crucial to ensuring the continued growth of tourism and will enhance St. Maarten socially, as well as economically.” The expansion also includes plans for an 853-foot extension to the Captain David Quay and adds an additional 90,420 square feet of container storage and handling space. With the expansion of container traffic, and St. Maarten’s emerging roll as a mini-hub for cargo transshipment purposes for the neighboring islands, the new facilities will help protect cargo ships from rough waters while offloading cargo.

The project is funded by a $40 million loan from Carnival Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines (RRCL). 

About St. Maarten

St. Maarten, known as “the culinary capital of the Caribbean”, is the smallest island in the world shared between two nations, France and the Netherlands.  Here guest are welcome to discover the islands 37 spectacular beaches, more than 350 restaurants, duty-free shopping, numerous activities and attractions and the island’s unparalleled nightlife. Whether staying in a luxury villa or spending the night in the casinos, guests will experience the only Caribbean island with grand sophistication and European flair. For more information on St. Maarten’s growing tourism industry, please visit the website at www.st-maarten.com.