Residents near the Antigua Cruise Port construction site, particularly in the Point area, are being advised to prepare for potential noise disruptions as work begins later this month on the project’s piling operations.

Gasper George, General Manager of Antigua Cruise Ports, operated by Global Ports Holdings (GPH), outlined details of the upcoming phase, which involves the use of heavy machinery to drive hundreds of piles into the ground—an essential but noisy process.

A 30-foot tall rig, the first of its kind to be used in Antigua, has already arrived on-site. It will drive 270 piles, each approximately 10 meters deep, into the ground. This phase is expected to generate significant noise, potentially affecting the comfort of nearby residents. The work will begin on Monday, March 17, 2025.

“We’ll try to really expedite that process. We’ll go with between 60 to 90 days at the max for the piling” George said.

To keep residents informed, the port authority will coordinate with the community to provide updates on the timing of the loudest construction activities.  “Next week, our communications and marketing manager and the rest of the construction team will be conducting and working with persons and the prime minister to organise a series of town hall meetings.”

By engaging with the public, Antigua Cruise Ports aims to address concerns, provide transparency, and ensure residents are well-prepared for the temporary inconveniences. The company has also committed to ongoing communication throughout the project, sharing regular updates on any changes to the construction schedule. “So we’ll be sharing the renderings and what the project would seek to achieve. And also to inform persons of the piling and the implications perhaps,” George said.

The cruise port development is a key part of Antigua and Barbuda’s efforts to strengthen its cruise tourism industry. Last month, GPH broke ground for the state-of-the-art cruise terminal at the fifth berth of Antigua’s port, with construction already underway.The terminal is scheduled for completion by November 2025, with full project completion expected by October 2026, just in time for the busy home-porting season.

The Upland Development Project hopes to offer a blend of new attractions, enhanced services, and a stronger emphasis on local culture. Features will include a day club set up which would include a swimming pool, a bar with a DJ concept, as well as the state of the art terminal. “The intention there is to bring the authenticity of the arts and culture of what Antigua and Barbuda has to offer,” George said.

Innovative technologies such as AI will play a key role in streamlining passenger processing with facial recognition, personalized services, and smart infrastructure designed to optimize energy use and maintenance. Retailers will also benefit from AI-driven insights to tailor promotions, while data analytics will inform operational improvements.

The cruise port project is expected to bring significant opportunities to the local community, with an estimated 200 jobs created during construction and additional employment expected from retail and service operations post-completion. Local entrepreneurs, particularly youth, will have the chance to benefit from the growing tourism market.

The development will span over an acre, stretching from the Newgate area to the Barnes Funeral Home, which will eventually relocate. GPH has already made strides in enhancing cruise operations, with the home porting concept increasing the number of cruise passengers processed from 6,000 to 20,000 per season over the past three years.