A feasibility study approved by V.I. Port Authority board members, is due to look at the possibility of bringing bigger (Quantum-class liners) to Ann E.Abramson Marine Facility (cruise terminal in Frederiksted, St Croix USVI).
While the pier currently can't fit (berth) the larger-sized vessels, board members revealed at a last week meeting that interest from cruise companies had made them take a second look. A proposal from board's marine consult company "Moffat & Nichol" was approved to begin the study (USD 86,500) to be paid from VIPA’s FY2019 capital projects budget.
The biggest cruise ships currently docking at the pier are Radiance-class (passenger capacity 2500). Royal Caribbean's Quantum-class (world's 3rd largest) could bring over 4900 tourists per port call. The analysis will show the improvements needed to the pier to make this happen.
VIPA’s executive director Damian Cartwright described the move as “better for the overall economy” of the territory. He added there were 3 options for the facility that includes the possibility of mooring the bigger vessels offshore in order to minimize dredging, as laid out in Moffat and Nichol proposal.
However, any of the choices would require construction works.