The British Virgin Islands (BVI) reached a brand new maritime milestone in 2023, experiencing a surge in cruise ship arrivals and passenger numbers.
A 12 months of Maritime Milestones
The British Virgin Islands Port Authority (BVIPA) has marked 2023 as a record-breaking yr in its maritime operations, with a big enhance in cruise passenger arrivals.
This development is seen at Highway Harbour’s primary cruise pier in Tortola, in addition to rise in calls to the sister islands, notably from smaller, luxurious cruise vessels and new cruise strains.
The BVIPA introduced that cruise passenger arrivals skyrocketed to 720,392 in 2023, a 110% enhance from 343,571 in 2022, surpassing the earlier peak in 2016 and highlighting the Territory’s functionality to accommodate numerous guests.
“The Authority’s achievements cement its standing as a reliable and interesting port, each regionally and globally,” stated Minister of Communication and Work chargeable for Ports Hon. Kye Rymer. “This success shouldn’t be merely a results of inside efforts however can also be a testomony to the steadfast dedication demonstrated via strategic collaborations with key companions just like the Florida Caribbean Cruise Affiliation (FCCA) and the continuing reinforcement of ties with cruise trade companions.”
The yr noticed a complete of 354 cruise calls, with 232 on the Cruise Pier, exceeding the 2022 whole of 263 calls. An extra 122 anchorage calls throughout the Territory have been recorded throughout places resembling Purple Harbour, Jost Van Dyke, and Virgin Gorda.
Akeem Pickering, managing director of the BVIPA, said, “The record-breaking cruise passenger arrivals in 2023 demonstrates the BVI Ports Authority’s dedication to operational excellence, maritime effectivity and strategic collaboration with native and worldwide cruise stakeholders.
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“Our services, devoted crew and trade relationships have performed a pivotal function in accommodating the elevated site visitors, demonstrating {our capability} to deal with the calls for of a thriving cruise trade,” Pickering added.
Strategic Collaborations and Future Prospects
BVI is poised to interrupt extra data in 2024, beginning the yr with notable milestones. January 14 noticed the inaugural name for Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Girl at Highway City, marking the primary inaugural name of the yr and introducing the primary new cruise line to the Territory.
This follows on the heels of Movie star Cruises making its inaugural name on the finish of December 2023, when new ship Movie star Ascent graced the Tortola pier on December 20.
The various lineup of cruise strains scheduled to go to BVI in 2024 displays the Territory’s rising enchantment within the cruise trade. This consists of names like P&O Cruises, Windstar Cruises, Costa Cruises, Princess Cruises, Seabourn, Viking Cruises, Marella Cruises, Virgin Voyages, Movie star Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and Silverseas Cruises.
Notably, almost 200 cruise ships are anticipated to enter BVI waters within the first quarter of the yr alone.
Tortola’s Highway City
Most cruise ships visiting BVI make their name at Tortola’s Highway City, which is able to accommodating two giant cruise ships concurrently.
Expanded in 2015 to host vessels as much as 180,000 gross tons, the port can welcome almost each kind of ship, except Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class ship and its new Icon of the Seas, the most important ship on the planet weighing in at round 250,000 gross tons.
Enhancing the cruise expertise additional, a brand new cruise complicated, Tortola Pier Park, was constructed on the foot of the pier. This 80,000 sq. ft improvement boasts 50 outlets and eating places, providing a vibrant mixture of retail and eating choices.
Moreover, it offers ample area for land and boat excursions to assemble, giving passengers handy entry to a wide range of native experiences.
