Cruise & Ferry Review - Spring/Summer 2021

1 7 0 CARIBBEAN: V IEWPOINT Port Royal: Kingston’s cruise gateway By Tovia Elliott, Port Authority of Jamaica The Port Authority of Jamaica’s project to open a new cruise terminal in Port Royal has helped to drive sustainable economic growth and environmental benefits O nce hailed as the “richest and wickedest city in the world”, Port Royal in Kingston, Jamaica was one of the economic centres of the New World for over two centuries. It was also the British Empire’s largest naval base in the Caribbean before its decline into a quiet fishing village in the 20th century. However, the town’s fortune changed after an impromptu cruise ship call in Kingston in 2016 prompted the Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) to embark on a project to bring cruising and tourists back to Port Royal. Leveraging the town’s historical, environmental and social assets, the PAJ developed its newest and most innovative terminal, the Historic Naval Dockyard in Port Royal. Previous concerns regarding cruise shipping in Port Royal centred around the environmental and social impacts of developing infrastructure for visiting vessels. Consequently, the PAJ decided to find a technology that would enable it to create a cruise terminal at a previous port facility in Port Royal that had already received local heritage and environmental regulatory approval. The company chose the SeaWalk solution, which is successfully used in environmentally sensitive areas with cultural and historical significance, such as the Unesco-protected Geirangerfjord in Norway. The SeaWalk is a self-propelled, floating articulated pier comprising three bridges on 10 floating pontoons and a hinged landing section, and it operates similar to an airport jet bridge. SeaWalk is hinged by steel anchor piles installed in the footprint of the previous berthing infrastructure at Old Coal Wharf and uses limited pile-driven works compared to conventional berthing systems with numerous stationary concrete piles. Additionally, the natural deepwater depths at the Old Coal Wharf mean there is no need for dredging in Port Royal. In line with other port developments, the PAJ sought township investments to support the revitalisation of Port Royal’s historic and cultural assets, as well as to tackle infrastructural deficiencies including unpaved streets, poor sewage and dilapidated building structures. Investments encompassed various upgrades at the historic Fort Charles, PAJ helped refurbish the school basketball court. Right: The SeaWalk, pictured in a folded position, offers an environmentally friendly alternative to a fixed cruise pier