Taken from the Barbados Port Handbook 2006-2007
The future looks good for Barbados as current developments lead to a new era of prosperity for the island's cruise and tourism sectors and for its main port. Once the new cruise pier at Bridgetown is complete in 2006, passenger arrivals could rise to one million annually with parallel developments on shore in terms of visitor facilities and amenities - an area in which Barbados Port Inc. (BPI) is now actively involved.
By 2015 the latest phase of developments will be complete and, with the port operating at capacity. In a country the size of Barbados, there is a limit to the useful expansion of facilities without leading to the overcrowding of local tourist attractions and congestion of the transport system.
Streamlining
The drive for efficiency and improvement goes on, however. In addition to new technology and greater streamlining of operations, the port will be looking at new trends within its current industry sectors. There can be no doubting that BPI will continue to lead the way in exciting and innovative developments both in cargo handling and the cruise sector.
First Choice
One key area targeted by the port is container transhipment. The BPI wants to be at the forefront of container handling services for the immediate region, with plans for a central container examination facility, extra cargo berths and more container handling equipment. While not competing directly with the region's major container hubs, Bridgetown will be able to offer a personalised service of the same high quality that port customers have come to expect over the past 40 years.
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