Antigua revealed plans for a cruise terminal expansion project. In 2019, the cruise port was leased under concession to GPH (Global Ports Holding). Up to USD 50 million will be spent in 2020 on a new pier and shops close to the cruise port.
GPH will also partner with local tour operators to grow Antigua's shore excursion options and regenerate the island's tourist attractions. The current cruise ship terminal (Saint John’s) in 2018 handled nearly 800,000 passengers. GPH's plans are to increase the cruisers to 1+ million.
St John’s cruise terminal is being expanded to accommodate larger cruise liners with passenger capacity 5000+.
Antigua's port expansion follows GPH’s acquisition of Nassau cruise port (Bahamas), along with a bid to run Puerto Rico’s San Juan cruise port.