Port Royal’s floating pier now in Jamaica

In a release to the media the Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) said: “This represents a significant milestone in the PAJ’s plans to complete the development of a cruise port terminal in Port Royal by January 2020. SeaWalk is a floating articulating pier that is motorized and under electronic control, which unfolds to meet a ship which is anchored in a stationary position off the shore.”

The ecological and historical environment in Port Royal which include a sunken city, buried artifacts and archeological assets is highly sensitive and protected. The SeaWalk technology facilitates the berthing of vessels in Port Royal without dredging and extensive infrastructural works typically required to construct a conventional berthing system.

This advantage led to the decision to use the technology in Sweden as well as Gereinger, Norway a World Heritage Site, due to similar environmental sensitivities.

The use of the SeaWalk technology in Port Royal enables the PAJ to both adhere to its environmentally conscious operational practices as well as fulfill the objective of establishing Kingston as a permanent cruise port destination, said the company.

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Professor Gordon Shirley, president and chief executive officer (CEO), PAJ noted that “the acquisition of the SeaWalk is a significant investment which cost approximately US$8.5 million, a fraction of the estimated US$40 million that the entire Port Royal cruise port development will cost, inclusive of marine and land side works.” 

He further stated that “Port Royal’s appeal and allure is due largely to its rich history and heritage which are major attractions and advantages of the town. It has always been the PAJ’s focus to ensure the preservation of the sunken city while undertaking the development of the cruise port and the use of the SeaWalk allows us to achieve these goals.”

The anchor system for the SeaWalk will be installed by February 15, to facilitate mooring, which is a permanent structure to which a vessel may be secured.

It is anticipated that Phase 1 A of marine works including the construction of a new marine structure at the Old Cold Wharf in Port Royal, the site earmarked for the construction of the new cruise port, will be completed in April 2019. After the completion of marine works, the installation and connection of the SeaWalk will begin and is expected to be completed by May 2019. Land side works which include the construction of a terminal building, ground transportation areas and other amenities as well as subsequent phases of the development, are anticipated to begin in July 2019 and be completed by January 2020.

William Tatham, vice president, Cruise Shipping and Marina Operations, indicated that there is already keen interest in Jamaica’s newest cruise destination. He stated that “Discovery 2 of Marella Cruise Lines are already scheduled to call on January 20, 2019 and confirmation of other calls are imminent.”

The PAJ is actively promoting Port Royal at industry trade shows and in the media and we are confident that overtime it will develop into a critically acclaimed and highly sought-after cruise port of call.