Bahamas News
Arawak Port Development Ltd. Celebrates 10 Years As Regional Shipping Leader
#Nassau, April 11, 2019 – Bahamas – BISX-listed Arawak Port Development Ltd. (APD), which has been heralded as “an example The Bahamas should be proud of” by the Inter-American Investment Corporation, celebrated ten years as a pioneer in the commercial shipping industry in February.
The formation of APD in 2009, which owns and operates the Nassau Container Port (NCP) and Gladstone Freight Terminal, marked the establishment of the first commercial maritime public-private partnership (PPP) in The Bahamas and provided a blueprint for similar projects to be developed across the country. One of the most significant terms of the historic project agreement was that it was the first to offer ownership shares to public servants to help make more Bahamians owners of a larger portion of the economy.
Mike Maura, Jr., President & Chief Executive Officer of APD, recalled the significant impact of the launch of this important venture. “The incorporation of APD was a landmark event. The idea of moving the commercial shipping port out of downtown had been pursued by successive political administrations for many years.
One of the central issues that we were facing at the time was that the shipping operations on Bay Street were in direct conflict with a major part of the country’s tourism and retail sector, which negatively affected the area’s stakeholders and even national revenues. Through extensive collaboration between various government entities and other parties, we were finally able to make it happen.”
“The ownership structure under the PPP is very clear – The Government of the Bahamas invested $20 million for 40% stake in the company; twenty corporate shipping sector stakeholders invested $20 million for another 40% equity through Arawak Cay Port Development Holdings Ltd.; and the remaining 20% is fully owned by over 11,000 Bahamian public investors through their subscriptions to the $10 million IPO we offered in 2012. Since the IPO, the company’s share price has traded on BISX by as much as 74.3% over the initial offer price, establishing APD as one of the best infrastructure investments in The Bahamas to date.”
Dion Bethell, Vice President & Chief Financial Officer of APD, reflected on the financial performance of the company and other achievements earned over the years. “The benefits to the development of our country and our community since the inception of the company have been substantial. As the single largest government revenue collection point in the country, the Nassau Container Port plays a critical role in The Bahamas’ fiscal management.
Furthermore, the creation of APD has provided the government with a new income stream, contributing in excess of $35 million to the public treasury since 2012, with approximately $7 million of that number generated in 2017 alone. We’ve also donated over $350,000 to 150 charities and non-profit organizations. Over 400 Bahamians work at NCP, so it’s important for us to be socially responsible and to promote community involvement because we are the community. ”
Mr. Bethell continued, “Many of our team members are recognized internationally as industry experts. In fact, in recent years, APD employees have been called upon to make presentations on public infrastructure, container shipping, port operations, and public-private partnerships at many global conferences. We’ve also been recognized by international associations for our efficiency and reliability – we were ranked as the number one port in Port Efficiency by the Caribbean Development Bank in May 2016 and received the award for the Most Reliable Port by the Caribbean Shipping Association in October of that year.”
Mr. Maura shared his appreciation for his team, stating, “We are extremely proud of all we’ve accomplished over the last ten years and the impact that our Bahamian team has had on the regional maritime sector. It is my sincere pleasure to thank the employees of APD Ltd., our shipping partners, the men and women which work tirelessly every day in our maritime space and each of the various government agencies who have supported us on this journey. I must make special mention of the 10-year partnership with Bahamas Customs and the Ministry of Finance which has directly influenced the port’s success. Through their diligence and commitment, APD has become an internationally-renowned model for excellence in port operations and commercial shipping. We are among the best and the brightest in the world, and we’re delighted and grateful to be able to say that.”
Over the next few months, APD will host a series of events and activities to educate the public about the necessary and valuable role of the many maritime stakeholders that support its operations. These include agencies involved in environmental protection & management, international & domestic shipping, national and border security, health & safety, road safety, and trade & commerce.
These initiatives will also help the public understand more about operations at Nassau Container Port, emerging careers in the field, and how the work of the port and maritime community impacts our economy and the lives of everyday Bahamians.
Press Release: Blue Orchid Advertising Agency
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products concluded their 10 weeklong Twist To Win campaign with four $5,000 Mall at Marathon shopping sprees.
The campaign which was available throughout the entire Bahamas allowed consumers to enter by purchasing a 20oz bottle with a yellow cap
from the following brands: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Grape. Each yellow-cap had a unique alpha numeric code underneath which they submitted to the Twist To Win WhatsApp number.
With each qualifying purchase, participants residing in The Bahamas were entered to win instant prizes and into a grand prize draw to win one of four $5,000 shopping sprees at the Mall at Marathon.
Participants also enjoyed exciting instant prizes such as: Airpods, JBL Speakers, premium Coca-Cola merchandise, $500 Visa gift cards and Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music digital gift cards.
Out of 76,000 plus submissions, Brian Bethel, Ashia Demeritte, Merlin Adams, and Taraceta Neely won the coveted Mall at Marathon shopping sprees at the following select stores, Kelly’s House & Home, The Sports Center, John Bull, Brass & Leather, and BTC.
Leading up to the grand finale shopping spree, Coca-Cola hosted a Trivia Showdown with the eight finalists to determine the four winners. Finalists were tested on their knowledge of World History, Pop Culture, Caribbean Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Facts!
After a few rousing rounds of trivia, the four winners were declared after each winning their spot in the shopping spree by answering their questions correctly and choosing the “Grand Prize” Coca-Cola labeled bottles at random.
The morning of the shopping spree Coca-Cola gave the winners exclusive access to the Mall at Marathon and its participating stores before
their usual operating hours. Grand prize winners were greeted with wide smiles from Coca-Cola brand representatives and morning bites before the big event.
At the start of the thirty-minute clock the grand prize winners along with each of their Coca-Cola shopping assistants ran to the various stores collecting items in their arms and carts.
Merlin Adams, a husband and father of four was proud to have executed his game-plan at the end of the shopping spree. With toys, a new phone and materials for his home from Kelly’s, Adams felt accomplished in what he gathered.
Taraceta Neely, a winner from Eleuthera collected beautiful bags for herself and relatives from Brass and Leather and Brian Bethel bought matching athletic and outdoor wear from The Sports Center for his family.
The final winner Ashia Demeritte bought linens and household items in addition to a new phone from BTC right in time for Christmas.
Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to share the real magic of Coca-Cola with the grand prize winners and the may instant prize winners across the Twist To Win campaign. For more updates on new products, promotions, and events follow www.cbcbahamas.com.
Bahamas News
The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products displayed
their astonishing Coca-Cola Art Project (CCAP), during Baha Mar’s five-day Culinary & Arts Festival. Earlier this year, Coca-Cola partnered with The University of The Bahamas’ Visual Art and Design Department for a culturally rich art competition. UB’s art students were challenged to create pieces surrounding the theme, Bahamian music.
As a result, 20 student works of art were made, with four students declared as winners at the CCAP exhibit opening in Baha Mar’s ECCHO: Art Gallery in August. To recreate the culturally stimulating magic felt at the exhibit’s premiere, the CCAP was featured at the FUZE Art Tent during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival.
Nine incredible pieces of art lined the walls of the Coca-Cola Art Project, four of which included the winning pieces from Jhanaisia Cole,
with ‘Gaulin Bride’; Alyssa Pinder, with ‘Shotgun Wedding’; Nelson Gray, with ‘Untitled’; and Jaela Bowe, with the piece ‘Whims of Obeah, a Folktail’. Additionally, an intimate listening room was built. It displayed students’ artistic processes, UB Visual Art and Design representatives, and a recap of the exhibit opening for audiences.
Art enthusiasts also enjoyed premium limited-edition CCAP keepsakes at the booth. Journals which featured a collage of all 20 student submissions on the front and back cover, postcards with an art piece on the cover along with the student’s name, title, dimension and materials on the back and pens designed with the CCAP’s dynamic logo.
Throughout the art festival diverse groups of people visited the art tent taking in the displays while enjoying the artistic insights from the
listening booth.
Community and culture are always at the forefront of Caribbean Bottling Community, and it was boldly showcased during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival for the third consecutive year.
For more details on the Coca-Cola Art Project, events and new products visit www.cbcbahamas.com today!
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor delighted Jollification
attendees with bubbles from their Bottega and Bouvet Ladubay sparkling wines and Besserat de Bellefon champagne lines.
Located in the Monument Circle on The Retreat grounds, CWS transformed The Retreat Garden into a lush lounge with Besserat, Bouvet and their latest product addition, Bottega, during the two-day affair.
The festivities kicked off Friday during BNT Member’s Night. Guests enjoyed exclusive offerings from CWS’s catalogue, offered exclusively to members. Complimentary mixes or glasses on the rocks included El Tequileno tequila, Hard Truth whiskey, House of Angostura rum, Cross Keys gin, Nemiroff vodka and a slew of wines such as Fonesca Bin, Bottega and Besserat.
Guests also savored the ‘Jolly Paloma’ cocktail, an instant favorite made with El Tequileno tequila, Schweppes Grapefruit and Domaine de Paris rose wine. To end the night, guests were treated to branded limited-edition wine tumblers as keepsakes.
On Saturday and Sunday, Jollification attendees delighted in glasses or bottles of champagne and sparkling brut or rosé wines while taking
in the comfort of the chic lounge. In addition to purchasing bottles for onsite consumption, consumers were also able to purchase bottles as gifts whether for themselves or someone special.
The sophisticated “bubble lounge” lounge was decked with velvet couches, gold rimmed cocktail tables, blue and pink pillows, and a white floral branded backdrop created for capturing the perfect picture.
Caribbean Wines & Spirits, a historic partner of the Bahamas National Trust was pleased to support Jollification 2025 to kick off the festive season and share their expansive range of spirits.
To keep up to date with all CWS products and events, visit their website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.
