The Bahamian government has entered into a public-private partnership to develop a new cruise port and cargo facility on the island of Mayaguana.
This project marks a significant expansion of cruise infrastructure in the southeastern Bahamas and will open one of the country’s least developed islands to the global cruise market for the first time.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, the agreement establishes a partnership between the government and Global Lead Consultant Group Limited, with a team including 77 Construction UK, to develop what is described as a major maritime and logistics hub.
Mayaguana, the easternmost island of the Bahamas, is located near the main Atlantic shipping route used by ships traveling between the Americas, Europe and the Panama Canal. Officials said the location is positioned to increase activity in both cruise tourism and cargo transhipment.
Development will take place in three stages. The first phase includes the construction of temporary marine unloading facilities and a deep-sea port. The second phase will focus on building a cruise ship terminal, while the third phase calls for a deep-sea transhipment port designed for larger ships, along with adjacent onshore development and cargo handling infrastructure.
Plans for the broader project also include excavation work, housing, utility upgrades and support facilities associated with port operations.
The project will be jointly owned by the Government of the Bahamas, the Mayaguana Island Development Fund and Global Lead Consultant Group Limited. The operating company will be Mayaguana Port Group Ltd., according to the government.
Officials said the inclusion of the Mayaguana Island Development Fund is intended to ensure direct economic benefits to the local community, and further engagement is planned on how the funds will be used.
The project is expected to enter detailed planning in the coming months, including environmental and economic assessments, regulatory approvals and stakeholder consultations.
Preliminary estimates suggest the development could create approximately 2,000 full-time jobs over the life of the project.
