Cargo operations at the Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise & Cargo Facility are back up. Amstel Trader Container Vessel docked at the quay on Wednesday morning at 6.00AM to offload containers.
After inspections were carried out on the crane and spreader, operations to remove the containers from the vessel commenced at 9.10AM Wednesday morning.
The second vessel scheduled to offload on Wednesday as well, is the Tropic Lure.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Port St. Maarten Mark Mingo said on Wednesday that all hands were on deck to make sure that the port which is a lifeline for the country and its economy would bounce back right away to ensure that continuity in business and supplies to the consumers would take place without any delays.
“We have a great team at Port St. Maarten who worked diligently to ensure that we are able to meet our obligations in this area after the passing of Hurricane Gonzalo.
“With respect to cruise, we are doing what has to be done on our side with inspections and making sure there are no underwater obstructions so we can receive our first cruise ship within short. Additional information when this will take place will be issued in a day or two.
“We have to look at beyond the port. We have a national clean-up effort underway which is very important, and we need to meet certain standards that are expected as a cruise destination. I am pleased to hear that Front Street is ready and efforts are underway to clean the beach promenade, Great Bay Beach and Back Street starting Thursday.
“We all have to work together to make sure our destination is ready to welcome back our tourists and in particular cruise passengers,” CEO Mark Mingo concluded on Wednesday.