Jamaica's Port Authority took a major step towards its development of a cruise terminal in Port Royal, via securing a floating pier for the east Kingston town.
The floating articulating pier, popular as a SeaWalk, arrived in Kingston on February 11. It was received at anchorage at Kingston port and was off-loaded and secured by the PAJ. The Port Authority touts it as "a significant milestone" in its plans to complete the development of a cruise terminal in Port Royal by the beginning of 2020.
SeaWalk is a floating pier that is under electronic control, which unfolds in order to meet a vessel that is anchored in a stationary position offshore.
The historical and ecological environment in Port Royal, including a sunken city, buried archeological assets and artifacts is highly sensitive. The SeaWalk technology facilitates the berthing of ships without dredging and extensive infrastructural works that are typically required to build a conventional berthing system. This advantage led to the usage of technology in Sweden and Norway due to environmental sensitivities.
The anchor system for the SeaWalk was installed by February 15, to facilitate mooring. It's anticipated that the first phase of marine works including the building of a new marine structure at Port Royal's Old Cold Wharf will be completed in April. After the marine works are completed, the SeaWalk's installation and the connection will begin and is due to be completed by May.
Landside works including the construction of ground transportation areas, a terminal building, and other amenities, are anticipated to start in July and be completed by January next year.