Global Ports Holding Inks Agreement to Manage St. Vincent Cruise Port

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 southeastern 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.”