The Charlotte Amalie Harbor dredging project has progressed with the Virgin Islands Port Authority (VIPA) obtaining a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, according to a press release.

The project, led by VIPA Executive Director Carlton Dowe, aims to deepen the harbor to accommodate larger cruise ships, achieving a controlling depth of 12.1 meters (40 feet) in the main channel, 11.5 meters (38 feet) in the turning basin and 10.9 meters (36 feet) at the West Indian Company (WICO) berths, according to the port authority.

Governor Albert Bryan Jr. said: “This is another big win for the U.S. Virgin Islands. With the Virgin Islands Port Authority and our federal partners, we are transforming our main infrastructure in ways that will make history. Dredging Charlotte Amalie Harbor isn’t just about moving sand; it’s about moving forward. By making room for bigger cruise ships, we are opening doors to more tourism and more investments. This is about boosting our economy and making sure our islands are not just a top-notch place to visit but also a leading economic force in the Caribbean.”

VIPA plans to solicit bids for the project within the next sixty days, with an anticipated start date in the second quarter of 2025. The dredging process is expected to take approximately 15 months to complete.

To provide further details, VIPA will host an Industry Day at noon on August 13, 2024. Marine, dredging and general contractors are invited to attend the meeting, which will be held in the conference room on the third floor of the VIPA Administrative Building at 8074 Lindbergh Bay, St. Thomas. Those interested in attending virtually can email info@viport.com to receive a Microsoft Teams meeting invitation.

Dowe thanked the Bryan/Roach Administration for their support and for submitting funding legislation for the project. He also expressed gratitude to WICO CEO Anthony Ottley and his team for their advisement, as well as the 35th Legislature and Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett for their assistance in advancing the project.