Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the St. Maarten Harbour Group of Companies Mark Mingo signed a construction agreement with Windward Roads for Phase 1 re-engineering works of Cruise Pier 1.
Windward Roads presented the best offer for the project. The company has a vast amount of experience as it was involved as a subcontractor with the construction of Pier 1 and Pier 2.
"For the last few years we have been busy with preparing for the re-engineering plan for Cruise Pier 1. At the same time, we have been in discussion with the main contractor who built Cruise Pier 1 Ballast Nedam (BNI), and those discussions continue today with respect to settling issues we had with the design of the pier.
"I am very happy to announce that we have reached to this stage where the contract has been signed and works can start within 30 days. It hasn’t been an easy process. We had structural calculations made by two companies, Lievense and Ch2MHill with respect to the re-engineering.
Ch2MHill is considered a global leader in consulting, design, design-build, operations, and program management, and has a vast amount of experience with port developments and the cruise industry.
"Specialized materials have to be imported, and we are also looking at the bollards and fender system. The Port is very much into the era of GREEN THINKING and will continue this trend by adding LED lighting on the piers. This will be a plus for safety and will also reduce electricity costs.
"I am looking forward to this project starting, and would like to use this opportunity to thank everybody who has been involved in this process with respect to the point we have reached with the signing of the contract.
"For those who are interested in working on the project at the Port, you can pick up registration forms at the main Security Booth at the port entrance or email comments@portofstmaarten.com," CEO Mark Mingo said over the weekend.
Phase 1 of the re-engineering of Cruise Pier 1 has to be completed before the country moves into the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season mid-September. Re-engineering works will take approximately three months for this phase.
Once Phase 1 of Pier 1 has been completed, engineers will carry out an evaluation leading to the further completion of the additional works that need to be executed. Pier 1 will be brought up to the level of Cruise Pier 2.
The additional works will costs US$7 million and is part of the of the investment list which was communicated to the bond holder of the US$150 million loan, the Central Bank of Curacao and St. Maarten.
The Port of St. Maarten has two cruise piers. Cruise Pier 1 has been in use since 2001 and can accommodate four cruise ships simultaneously. The pier has a length of 545 meters while Pier 2 has a length of 445 meters and the latter was opened in 2009.
PHOTO CUTLINE: Port CEO Mark Mingo (second from left) signing the construction agreement for the re-engineering of Cruise Pier 1.