Cruise conglomerate Carnival Corporation & plc has signed an agreement with the government of the Bahamas to build two major port developments in the country, representing an investment of around $180m.
Carnival, whose brands include Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, P&O and Cunard, will develop a new cruise port on Grand Bahama, the northernmost island of the Bahamas archipelago, and another facility on the Bahamian island of Little San Salvador.
The Grand Bahama project will cost more than $100m, and the development on Little San Salvador will be an estimated $80m investment over time, the company said on 25 September.
Attending the signing was Bahamian Prime Minister Hubert A. Minnis, his deputy and finance minister K. Peter Turnquest, and other cabinet ministers. Â
"We are very pleased to announce that Carnival Corporation’s projects in the Bahamas are full speed ahead," said Minnis. "These developments and the significant investment in world-class tourism and hospitality operations are such a boon for our initiatives for national prosperity and economic stability."
Once environmental and other permitting processes are completed, construction for both projects is projected to start by mid-2020.
The projects are expected to help the country’s economic recovery from the recent Hurricane Dorian.
Carnival said the ports would be designed to meet guidelines for being able to "mostly withstand the impact of a Category 5 hurricane".
"This is an exciting day for all of us involved with these two extraordinary development projects," said Carnival executive Giora Israel. "We have been working with the prime minister and his staff for some time with a shared vision for our design plans, and we want to extend our sincere gratitude for their collaboration and partnership."
Image: Carnival cruise liner Costa Fortuna at harbour in Nagasaki (Carnival Corporation)
