Deep Water Harbour

The government plans to seek private investment to help transform Antigua’s commercial port into a regional transshipment hub, Prime Minister Gaston Browne has announced.

Browne said the port would be among several major investment opportunities presented during an Antigua and Barbuda Investment Forum being organised as part of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

The government intends to invite Antiguans and Barbudans with viable projects in areas including real estate, tourism and maritime development to participate in the forum.

Browne said additional investment would be needed to expand activity at the port and attract more regional cargo traffic.

“We want to expand it further to get more traffic so it becomes a transshipment port,” he said during the Browne and Browne Show.

A transshipment hub would allow cargo arriving on larger vessels to be transferred to smaller ships for delivery to other destinations across the Caribbean.

The proposed development could increase shipping activity, generate additional revenue and strengthen Antigua and Barbuda’s position within the regional logistics industry.

Browne said the government would also approach local families and landowners with significant undeveloped property and encourage them to pursue viable projects.

He indicated that meetings with some landowners could begin within approximately two weeks.

The prime minister did not disclose how much investment would be required for the port project, identify any prospective investors or provide a timetable for its transformation into a regional transshipment hub.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Government Seeks Investors to Turn Antigua Port Into Regional Transshipment Hub.