By
Rebecca Gibson |
Global Ports Holdings (GPH) is to operate Prince George Wharf and related areas at Nassau Cruise Port in The Bahamas for the next 25 years.
According to an agreement with the Government of The Bahamas, GPH has joined forces with the Bahamas Investment Fund and the Yes Foundation to create the Nassau Cruise Port Ltd. (NCP) consortium. GPH will use its global expertise and operating model to manage Nassau Cruise Port.
“I am delighted that NCP has signed a port operation and lease agreement for Prince George Wharf at Nassau Cruise Port,” said Mehmet Kutman, chairman and co-founder of GPH. “This is a truly historic moment for GPH, building on our track record of investment in the Caribbean region.”
The NCP consortium will invest up to US$250 million to improve the cruise guest experience in Nassau and to build a new terminal to expand the port’s capacity. The new port facility will have an intermodal area with bus stops, taxis and parking spaces, as well as space for electric trams to transport guests between the ships and the terminal building.
In addition, the NCP consortium will build an events and entertainment area, construct food and beverage facilities, and improve the existing retail space to enable local artisans and farmers to sell their products. Work will also be carried out to improve transport connections, traffic flow and signage.
“We are excited to apply our best practice model to develop the cruise offer in Nassau,” said Emre Sayin, CEO of GPH. “Nassau will now become the biggest cruise port in our portfolio, increasing our passenger volumes by 50%. The GPH team very much looks forward to working with our partners, the cruise lines and the people of the Bahamas to reinvigorate the iconic cruise port and to make Nassau a great experience.”