by Brian Major
Last updated: 3:10 PM ET, Mon June 15, 2026
The world’s largest cruise port operator and management
company, Global Ports Holding (GPH), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
with the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to begin exclusive negotiations
regarding the management, development and operation of the St. Vincent and the
Grenadines Cruise Port (SVG Cruise Port).
GPH and the SVG Cruise Port plan to negotiate and execute a
concession agreement under which GPH would manage the cruise port on behalf of
the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The government would retain
ownership of the port, while GPH would leverage its global cruise port
management expertise, operational capabilities and cruise line relationships to
support the port’s continued development.
St, Vincent and the Grenadines occupies a primary location
in the south Eastern Caribbean close to major cruise destinations including
Barbados, Saint Lucia and Grenada. SVG currently hosts more than 200,000 passengers
annually and is considered to have significant growth potential.
Pending the execution of definitive agreements and the award
of concession rights, GPH plans to implement a two-phase investment program
intended to modernize the port’s infrastructure and operations, expand berthing
capacity, serve larger cruise vessels and enhance the passenger experience. The
program would help position the country’s cruise tourism for the future,
supporting sustainable growth while improving the destination’s competitiveness
within the southern Caribbean cruise market. It would also ensure that future
development would be guided by environmental sustainability.
GPH also intends to support the development of shore
excursion opportunities in collaboration with the government and local
stakeholders, with the intention of enhancing the country's broader tourism
product offerings while creating additional opportunities for local businesses
and communities.
“We are delighted to have signed this Memorandum of
Understanding with the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and to have
the opportunity to explore a long-term partnership in support of the
country’s cruise tourism development,” said Mehmet Kutman, GPH’s chairman and
CEO. “St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a beautiful and strategically
located destination with tremendous potential. We look forward to working
closely with the Government and local stakeholders to support national
development, strengthen the destination’s cruise offering, and help create
lasting value for the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.”
“This MOU reflects our continued strategy of partnering with
governments in high-potential cruise destinations where our global reach,
operational expertise and industry partnerships can help unlock long-term
growth,” said Mike Maura, Jr. regional director of GPH Americas. “St. Vincent
and the Grenadines is well positioned within the southern Caribbean cruise
itinerary, and we believe that with the right investment, modernized port infrastructure and operations, an environmentally responsible approach, and a destination-focused management strategy, the port can become an even
more attractive call for cruise lines and guests.”
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