Tashieka Mair, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

The Port Authority of Jamaica's upgrading work on the Montego Bay Cruise Ship terminal should be completed by August 2009 at a cost of US$80 million.

Ground investigations and preliminary designs have already started and the final design is expected to be completed by November of this year.

Minister of Transport and Works, Robert Pickersgill, made the announcement yesterday during the reception for the maiden call of Royal Caribbean's cruise ship, Liberty of the Seas, in Montego Bay.

"The extensive upgrading of the port here in Montego Bay will include the redesign of berthing facilities, the building of two new berths, expanding the existing berths and the addition of a second terminal building," Pickersgill explained.

Added facilities

There will also be added facilities for customs, retail shopping, and entertainment.

The minister boasted that when the upgrading work is completed, the port would be able to accommodate two freedom-class vessels simultaneously.

"In 2006, Jamaica welcomed a record 1,324,740 cruise-ship visitors. This was an increase of 206,948 visitors on cruise liners, some 18.5 per cent more than we hosted in 2005," he said.

"Royal Caribbean Cruises (RCC) made a significant contribution to that milestone and to our being voted the world's leading cruise destination at the 2006 World Travel Awards."

Mr. Pickersgill expressed confidence that the relationship with the RCC lines will continue for the development of the cruise sector.

The Liberty of the Seas is the largest cruise ship in the world and has the capacity to accommodate at least 4,000 people.

The ship, captained by Argentinean Hernan Zini, arrived in Montego Bay with more than 3,000 passengers, including staff. There are some 120 Jamaican employees assigned to the cruise vessel.