By CALISTA KIPER
A new $600 million deal to upgrade the Grand Bahama Shipyard means the shipyard partially owned by Royal Caribbean will become the largest cruise ship repair facility in the world.
In 2000, Royal Caribbean Group, along with Carnival Corporation and the Grand Bahamas Port Authority founded the Grand Bahama Shipyard.
Today, the location is a leader in dry-docking, afloat repairs, refurbishments, refits, and revitalizations.
The shipyard serves vessels from the cruise to the commercial and offshore maritime industries.
Royal Caribbean holds a 40% share in the shipyard and sends many of its cruise ships to dry dock there, such as Radiance and Grandeur of the Seas in recent years.
Grand Bahama Shipyard has between 85 to 100 drydocks scheduled a year, and its new transformation is expected to surpass these numbers.
The shipyard is currently the biggest in the Caribbean, and the $600 million project is set to make it the largest cruise ship repair facility in the world.
IMPROVEMENTS WILL BROADEN THE SHIPYARD’S RANGE OF VESSELS IT CAN SERVICE
Improvements made in the shipyard will include the addition of two new world-class floating docks.
These docks will be the largest in the world, allowing the shipyard to service the entire range of cruise ships in the industry—even the mega ships.
The two floating docks are being built in Qingdao, China, and are expected to be delivered in 2025 and 2026.
The shipyard’s current dry docks have a lifting capacity of 45,000+ tons and are capable of docking vessels up to 985 feet.
With these current measurements, the shipyard can currently handle ships such as Royal Caribbean’s Radiance Class.
Radiance of the Seas is 962 feet long and measures 90,090 gross tons.
However, larger ships such as Royal Caribbean’s biggest, Icon of the Seas, aren’t close to being handled by the shipyard.
In contrast, Icon of the Seas weighs 250,800 gross tons and measures 1,198 feet long
REINFORCING A COMMITMENT TO GRAND BAHAMA’S TOURISM AND ECONOMY
Royal Caribbean has stated that it remains committed to supporting the Bahamian government’s vision for the transformation of tourism offerings in Grand Bahama.
“I am proud of our enduring partnership with The Bahamas and the progress it has yielded over the decades,” said Jason Liberty, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group.
“By working closely together on the Grand Bahama Shipyard transformation project we are deepening the impact of this significant industrial investment and ensuring it reaches beyond our industry to create long-lasting opportunities for the Bahamian workforce and local communities.”
The Grand Bahama Shipyard is currently the largest private non-tourism employer in The Bahamas, and its expansion will only further employment in the area.
The $600 million project will bring billions of dollars to Grand Bahama’s economy.
The shipyard’s expansions and improvements are expected to further support local contractors and businesses.
At the same time, hundreds of new, full-time jobs will be opened at the shipyard once it is in full operation
The Grand Bahama Shipyard will also increase its apprenticeship program, welcoming 16-20 new apprentices a year. These young interns will undergo a 4-year training program, allowing them to gain valuable skills and positioning the Shipyard to maintain a knowledgeable base of employees.
According to the Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey M.P., the shipyard’s expansion will further strengthen Grand Bahama’s position as “The Home of Maritime and Logistics.”
THE GRAND BAHAMA SHIPYARD IS PLACED IN AN IDEAL LOCATION
Grand Bahama is the furthest northwestern island in the Bahamas, located 68 miles from Perfect Day at CocoCay and only 64 miles from Palm Beach, Florida.
The location grants the shipyard easy access to Port Miami, Port Canaveral, and Port Everglades.
Grand Bahama Island is one of the most popular in the Bahamas, featuring beautiful beaches, nature preserves, and golf courses.
Cruises to Grand Bahama dock in the city of Freeport.
Freeport is the second largest city in the Bahamas, with a population of 26,000 people.Cruise ship passengers can enjoy a day at the beach, tours of downtown Freeport, local shopping, and dining.
Lucayan National Park also features mangrove trees and diverse ecology and geology.
Visitors can try everything from kayaking and dolphin watching to jeep safaris and scuba diving.
NOTE: This article by Calista Kiper was published in ROYAL CARIBBEANblog on Thursday, August 29, 2024.
