2005, June 23: GREAT BAY, St. Maarten: Cargo statistics released by the Harbour Group of Companies, showing significant increases in both inbound and outbound cargo, have raised expectations for a continuing trend of growth in 2005.

First quarter (January to March) figures show a 22 per cent increase in container cargo as compared with the corresponding period in 2004. Trans-shipment of containers to the surrounding islands was up by 50 per cent during the period while trans-shipment to the French side of the island was up by 26 per cent.

The St. Maarten Harbour cargo facilities has seen three consecutives years of growth since 2002. When 2003 figures are compared with 2004, the import of full containers grew by 15 per cent from 18,952 TEU to 21,832TEU.

The impressive growth performance has been attributed to various economic activities taking place on the island, including new construction projects launched in 2004: the Rainbow Project, The Cliff, and the renovations and extension of the Great Bay Hotel. Other construction sector activities include villas, apartments, homes and time-share units as well as public sector projects such as the multi-million dollar airport project.

Container vessel at St. Maarten

Last year’s growth in transshipment by 30 per cent from 6056 in-transit imports full TEUs in 2003 to 7862 in 2004, has been attributed to the economic growth in the surrounding islands such as Anguilla, Montserrat, St. Barths, St. Kitts & Nevis and Antigua & Barbuda.

The increase in stay-over visitors from 427,587 in 2003 to 475,032 in 2004 also meant an increase in imports of goods by supermarkets as well as restaurants, hotels and the time-share sector.

Some of the major cargo lines serving St. Maarten include Europe West Indies Lines, Bernuth, CAGEMA, CMA-CGM, Empresa De Navegasion, Oil Interline, Seaboard Marine Lines and Tropical Shipping.

St. Maarten serves as a transshipment hub for the North Eastern Caribbean. This is due to the islands strategic location and its modern and efficient cargo port facilities.

St. Maarten Harbour Holding Company Managing Director Mark Mingo says that harbour officials are looking at the possibilities to increase container storage space at the port. “We are gradually getting rid of the empty containers currently stored at the port. We do have a backlog, but we are diligently working with the cargo lines that are cooperating to move out the empty containers.

“It is not easy to get rid of the empty containers due to the different schedules of the large cargo vessels when compared to those of the smaller inter-island vessels. The small vessels pick up the containers of goods and take them to the surrounding islands. They are then brought back empty to St. Maarten where we have to store them. We then work with the cargo lines to get them shipped out,” Mingo.

St. Maarten’s container facilities comprise of the Captain David Cargo Quay which has a length of 890 feet, excluding North and South cargo handling and docking areas.

The cargo facilities can accommodate two general LO-LO and three RO-RO cargo vessels. Water depth at the cargo facilities are maintained at a depth of 35 feet. Container storage capacity is approximately 2000 TEUs. Cargo vessels can also be provided with the services of fuel and water.