Materials, equipment for
new pier arrive on Dec 1
~ Mikey Arison to drive first pile ~
POINTE BLANCHE--Although no physical work has started at Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise and Cargo Facilities on the construction of the new 445-metre-long 21-metre-wide cruise pier, preparations in Europe have been completed.
The “Big Lift” ship M.V. Da Fu departed from Denmark for St. Maarten last Sunday with equipment and materials from three countries for the new pier. The ship is scheduled to arrive on Saturday, December 1.
A total of 2,600 tonnes of steel pipes from the Netherlands and sheet piles from Luxemburg were transported by road to the docks in Rotterdam where they were loaded aboard the vessel. Contractor Ballast Nedam also loaded its major pile-driving equipment that is needed for the project.
Leaving port, M.V. Da Fu headed to Denmark where Per Aarsleff added its self-elevating platforms (jack-ups) and other equipment for the pier construction. Ballast Nedam and Per Aarsleff are working together on the project.
Harbour Affairs Commissioner Theo Heyliger is anticipating the start of the project that marks the largest investment and partnership ever entered into by the world’s two major cruise companies.
Carnival Corporation & PLC has loaned St. Maarten Harbour Group of Companies US $34.5 million for the expansion venture, while Royal Caribbean Cruise Line (RCCL) has put up US $5 million.
To mark the partnership with the cruise industry, Carnival Corporation Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mikey Arison is slated to drive the first steel pile for the pier on December 27, according to Heyliger.
The rest of the US $97.5 million project funds are derived from the refinancing of a US $86 million loan with RBTT Bank, US $14.2 million from the existing cash flow of the harbour facilities and US $13.7 million from its projected income.
The new cruise pier, to be built parallel to the existing
Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise Pier, will accommodate two 220,000-tonne cruise ships. The first ship of this size will be launched in 2009 in tandem with the completion of the pier.
