A proposal to establish a high-speed ferry network linking several Caribbean islands is being explored as a potential step towards improving regional transportation, trade and tourism.
Government officials and stakeholders met on Tuesday, July 28, to discuss how Saint Lucia could support the private-sector initiative, which aims to provide more affordable and reliable passenger connections between territories that currently have limited or no direct ferry service.
Ambassador-at-Large for Trade, Investment and Multilateral Development, Dr Claudius Preville, said discussions with the company behind the proposal began several months ago.
“In the last couple of months, I had the opportunity of meeting with this company, with a very broad international base and strong experience in this area,” Preville said.
He explained that he met both the company’s chief executive officer and the head of its parent organization during their visit to Saint Lucia, where they presented the concept for the regional ferry service.
“I was able to meet the CEO, the current CEO, and of course the parent CEO as well was visiting Saint Lucia, and they presented a proposal to me on what was possible,” he said.
After reviewing the proposal and consulting with colleagues, Preville said it appeared to offer significant potential for the region.
“After perusing it myself and consulting with some of my colleagues, the proposal looked excellent and we thought we would take it to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Ports to explore it further,” he added.
Chief Executive Officer of Ocean Bulk Development and Logistics Inc. Saint Lucia, Chioma Griffith, said the project seeks to address one of the Caribbean’s most persistent transportation challenges by making regional travel more accessible.
“Persons want to be able to travel, but because of regional services that is not possible,” Griffith said.
She believes an affordable ferry network would allow more Caribbean residents to experience neighboring islands while strengthening regional integration.
“So by doing this at a very economical cost, persons are going to be having that opportunity to do so,” she said.
Griffith added that expanding access to regional travel is one of the company’s primary objectives.
“So that’s an initiative that we would like to bring to the Caribbean so that persons can enjoy the Caribbean,” she said.
If implemented, the proposed high-speed ferry network is expected to enhance passenger movement, support trade and tourism, and improve connectivity among Caribbean territories that have long faced limited transportation options.