by Donald Wood
Last updated: 1:21 PM ET, Mon February 25, 2019
The cruise industry is taking note after Global Ports Holding (GPH) announced it was awarded a 25-year contract for the Nassau cruise port and related areas.
GPH led a group of companies who bid on the project, including the Bahamian Investment Fund and the Yes Foundation, which will expand the Nassau cruise port from six to eight berths. Recently, GPH also signed new deals in Havana and Antigua.
"I am delighted that Nassau Cruise Port Ltd has been awarded the cruise port tender for Prince George Wharf at Nassau Cruise Port," Global Ports Holding Chairman Mehmet Kutman said in a statement. "This represents GPH's third new port in the Caribbean in the last twelve months and is a historic moment for the group. The GPH team very much look forward to working with our partners and the people of the Bahamas to reinvigorate this iconic cruise port and the city of Nassau."
The Nassau cruise port already welcomes 3.7 million passengers per year and is among the leading destination ports in the world. In addition to new berths, the project will include the construction of a new terminal building, an event and entertainment area and new food and beverage facilities.
"We are very happy that the Government of the Bahamas has awarded GPH and its local partners the cruise port tender for Prince George Wharf at Nassau Cruise Port," Global Ports Holding CEO Emre Sayin said in a statement. "The addition of Nassau to our portfolio will mark an important inflection point in our strategy and growth aspirations."
"Nassau will become the biggest cruise port in our portfolio and will increase our passenger volumes by 50 percent," Sayin continued. "GPH has an enviable track record of managing cruise port operations around the world and we very much look forward to working with our partners to transform both the cruise port and downtown Nassau for the benefit of Bahamians, cruise passengers and cruise lines. We will now work with all parties towards signing a concession for the wonderful destination of Nassau."
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