Saint Lucia Cruise Port (SLCP) and Global Ports Holding (GPH) officially broke ground on an ambitious redevelopment of the island’s cruise infrastructure, covering Port Castries, Banannes Bay, and Soufrière. The multimillion-dollar initiative aims to modernize and expand Saint Lucia’s cruise offerings while maintaining public ownership of national port assets.
Speaking at the sod-turning ceremony on April 16th, SLCP General Manager Lance Arnold directly addressed ongoing public concern, stating unequivocally that the ports have not been sold.
“We do not own these facilities,” Arnold said. “We are not the landlords of the port; we are its stewards… tenants of the people and government of Saint Lucia.”
The works follow a 30-year concession agreement signed on August 2, 2023, between the Government of Saint Lucia, the Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA), and GPH (Saint Lucia) Ltd.
The agreement grants GPH responsibility to finance, develop, manage, and maintain cruise infrastructure at Castries and Soufrière, with a focus on enhancing visitor experience and local economic participation.
Arnold explained that Pointe Seraphine, Berth 1, will be upgraded to accommodate Oasis-class vessels—some of the largest cruise ships in the world—allowing Saint Lucia to meet growing global demand. A new tender jetty near the Vendor’s Arcade will also be constructed, improving safety and efficiency for ships anchoring offshore.
In downtown Castries, the now-demolished Customs Building will make way for a new, open public space connecting La Place Carenage, the Arcade, and city streets. The upgrade aims to promote seamless flow between port and city while encouraging economic activity.
“The Vendor’s Arcade will undergo a full transformation,” Arnold stated, describing it as a cultural gateway that highlights Saint Lucian creativity rather than a simple refurbishment. However, operational management of the space will remain with the Castries Constituency Council.
Meanwhile, Banannes Bay will see the creation of a reimagined Fishermen’s Village featuring restaurants, kiosks, restrooms, picnic areas, and a slipway. SLCP emphasized that the project is community-driven and will be developed in close collaboration with local fishers and stakeholders.
A series of enhancements to the boardwalk between Pointe Seraphine and the Arcade—such as lighting and safety upgrades—are also included in the plan.
“In Soufrière, the waterfront will be reactivated with a new amphitheater, retail kiosks, pedestrian greenways, and improved berthing. But this is not only for cruise days—this is for evenings, for weekends, for locals, and for tourists alike. It is for a Soufrière that lives and breathes long after the last ship sails,” the SLCP General Manager stated.
Arnold reiterated that the developments are designed primarily for the benefit of Saint Lucians, including vendors, tour operators, taxi drivers, and artisans.
“These improvements will serve Saint Lucians first,” he said. “They are not an afterthought; they are the foundation… This sod-turning ceremony is far more than a groundbreaking,” Arnold said. “It signals movement—forward movement—toward a vision of inclusive growth, meaningful partnerships, and transformation that touches every corner of our cruise tourism sector.”
Construction timelines and projected economic impact figures have not yet been released, but officials say community engagement will remain a central feature throughout the development phase.
