Carnival Wraps Up St. Maarten Pier Project

Carnival Corp. said it has finalized an agreement with the government of St. Maarten and the Port of St. Maarten to provide $34.5 million in funding for the construction of a new two-berth cruise ship pier on the Caribbean island.

Carnival said that the St. Maarten port currently has a four-berth pier and that the addition would make it one of the largest cruise ports in the region.

“Further enhancing the island’s cruise ship facilities is a winning proposition for everyone with the end result being greater economic benefit for St. Maarten and an expanded number of consumers introduced to the exceptional beauty and charm of this superb location,” said Howard Frank, Carnival COO, in a statement.

Under the agreement, Carnival said it is providing financing of $34.5 million for the construction of a new pier that will be able to accommodate two post-Panamax cruise ships and guaranteed it would bring a certain number of passengers to the island.

Carnival said it would have preferential berthing rights at the new facility for the 20-year period of the agreement, and that eight of Carnival Corp.’s 10 cruise brands would call on St. Maarten.

Carnival said that construction on the new pier is scheduled to begin in December and completed by 2009. Royal Caribbean Cruises also is reportedly funding the construction of a pier in St. Maarten. The cruise line would only say that it was currently talking with port authorities there, but would not say about what.