Government
South Dock Expansion Key to National Development, Phase One starts this Week
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, March 14, 2023 – In a pragmatic approach to sustain and support tourism development, especially on the island of Providenciales, the Director of Ports for the Turks and Caicos is moving ahead assertively with plans to significantly expand the capacity of the country’s number one import-export dock.
The South Dock Rehabilitation project is finally underway with phase 1 and 2 set to begin; a local company has been hired to carry out the project and Delton Jones, TCI Director of Ports and Vice Chairman of the Port Management Association of the Caribbean (PMAC) sat down with Magnetic Media to explain how it could improve life for the
“The name of the contractor is Island Site Development LTD.” he said of the two-and-a-half-year long project explaining that during the construction period a number of land based and marine based jobs would be created.
Commencement of phase one which is part of multi-project plan to be carried out over the next four years, as approved under the previous PDM administration, was announced by Premier Washington Misick on February 27th at the State of the State Address.
Kick off meetings for the project should begin this week (March 14th), and aside from immediate construction, other jobs will be secure, Jones says.
“The project will protect existing supply chain jobs. I’m sure once the project is completed, we’ll be able to induce more competition in the shipping sector which will lower freight rates and create.new supply chain jobs” he explained.
Over the next two and a half years Island Site Development Ltd will construct:
• A new general cargo terminal with 2 berths (for operation of two (2) at the same time) and a ro-ro ramp;
• A 1.1 acre container yard for general cargo and bulk materials;
• Internal roads and installation of a new scale
• A safe-water drainage system,
• A second (410 feet long by 131 feet wide) berth, encapsulating the existing berth; and including a second Ro-Ro ramp.
• New mast lighting
• A larger turning basin to a depth of 18 feet.
• Shoreline project and raising the port to improve climate resilience
Jones emphasized the importance of the project without which he says the country will not be able to keep up with the tourism investments set to happen in the next five years, especially for Providenciales.
“The project should be seen within the context of a growing economy. I understand [billions] in investment are in the pipeline, mostly for Provo. There has been no investment in Ports in Provo for over 30 years. The port is congested and cannot support the investment that’s in the pipeline.”
The project comes a year after the influx of cargo to the ports increased almost 50 percent; container scanners for necessary security are also in the pipeline.