By OSWALD T. BROWN
WASHINGTON, D.C., October 27, 2023 – Bahamas Prime Minister Philip E. Davis today spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony in Freeport, Bahamas, for Grand Bahama Shipyard’s $600 million expansion, marking a pivotal moment in that country’s maritime industry.
“Ths project showcases not only impressive infrastructure development but also a shared vision for global ship repair leadership,” the Office of the Prime Minister noted in a post on Facebook. “The collaboration between Grand Bahama Shipyard, Royal Caribbean Group, and Carnival Corporation stands out, reflecting their dedication to the Grand Bahama community. Central to this event is this administration’s commitment to create high-quality career paths for the people of Grand Bahama.”
A press release on October 10, 2023, announced that the Grand Bahama Shipyard “together with Royal Caribbean Group and Carnival Corporation, recently received approval to proceed with an expansion project that is estimated to bring billions of dollars in economic impact to Grand Bahama’s economy over the next 25 years.”
Noting that the expansion will help the Grand Bahama Shipyard “regain its position as the largest cruise ship repair facility in the world, the Carnival Corporation press release added, “The $600 million transformation project includes the construction, delivery to Freeport, and commissioning of two world-class floating docks that will allow the shipyard to service the entire range of cruise ships in operation and under construction, as well as much of the world’s commercial shipping fleet.”
At the time of the announcement, Prime Minister Davis hailed the expansion project as “a new and promising chapter in the story of Grand Bahama.”
Deputy Prime Minister Chester Coope, who is also Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, said the timing of the Grand Bahama Shipyard expansion project “coincides beautifully with our efforts to revitalize Grand Bahama’s tourism industry.”
“This project is just the impetus that Grand Bahama needs to further boost the island’s economic growth,” DPM Cooper said. “It is a strong show of confidence that Grand Bahama Shipyard is establishing the world’s largest ship repair facility in The Bahamas.”
Meanwhile, Minister for Grand Bahama Ginger Moxey said the $600 million “transformation of Grand Bahama Shipyard marks a monumental investment for Grand Bahama.”
“The shipyard has always been an important contributor to Grand Bahama’s economy, and this ambitious project will continue the revitalization of our local economy,” Minister Moxey said. “As the shipyard undergoes this remarkable evolution, it will serve as a beacon of progress, bringing jobs, entrepreneurial spin-off opportunities and a renewed sense of pride to the people of Grand Bahama. Together, we embark on a journey towards a brighter and more prosperous future.”
Josh Weinstein, CEO and Chief Climate Officer of Carnival Corporation, said that for half a century, “we have worked side-by-side with The Bahamas and Bahamian businesses and contributed to the growth of the Bahamian economy while delivering unforgettable cruise vacations to millions of people.”
“The success of our enduring partnership is built on our shared conviction that people must always be at the forefront of our thinking,” Weinstein said. “That mindset is evident in the Grand Bahama Shipyard transformation project, which invests significantly in local businesses, creates jobs and contributes to a legacy of economic vitality in the country.”
GBPA Acting Chairman Sarah St. George added: “We join our partners in celebrating this historic achievement and congratulate Carnival Corporation and Royal Caribbean Group for their commitment to Grand Bahama and Grand Bahama Shipyard. We also thank the Government for their close collaboration on this transformational project. For the past four years, re-establishing Grand Bahama Shipyard as a premier global ship repair facility has been the single-minded focus of all parties. We’re tremendously excited for this huge expansion.”
