Cabinet announces bid winners for cruise berthing as referendum looms

(CMR) The Unity government of the Cayman Islands has announced today that it has approved Verdant Isle Port Partners for the cruise berthing and enhanced cargo port facility.

The Ministry of District Administration, Tourism and Transport and the Port Authority had informed Cabinet that the Central Tenders Committee had made the decision on this past Tuesday.

This announcement comes as the Election's office continues counting the signatures for the people initiative referendum. However, the government states that they will not proceed with executing a contract before October 1, 2019, in order to allow for the completion of the people-initiated petition verification of the signature process.

Details relating to the bid and the cruise berthing project generally, which could not be disclosed until the completion of the tender process and selection of a preferred bidder, will be discussed at a press conference to be held at 1 p.m. Monday, 29 July, at the GIS studio, second floor of the Government Administration Building.

Verdant Isle Port Partners consists of: McAlpine Cayman Ltd. Orion Marine Construction, Carnival Corp. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Orion Marine Construction has purchased Meisner Marine, which previously built the Royal Watler Terminal as well as the Creek Dock in Cayman Brac.

In light of this new development, CPR member Johann Moxam shared:

“Perhaps the CIG and Ministry of Tourism will now be more open and transparent about the design, estimated total costs, the financing model(s) including cash and in-kind commitments, the upland development and the projected increase in cruise passenger arrivals over the next 10-20 years.CIG has said the design will inform an updated EIA; the public is expecting to see in the terms of reference and be fully engaged and educated by the relevant government agencies during the public consultation process. It seems as if CIG is playing with words because it is important for them to explain to the public how they intend to move forward in light of s.70 of the Constitution 2009 and the People’s Initiated Referendum (PIR) process. It is clear that the petition will satisfy the 25% threshold to trigger the PIR process”

Mario Rankin, also of CPR shared his optimism that the government has acknowledged the impact of the pending referendum and the seriousness of the petition. He cautioned people to see this measure as defeating in any way and to continue to verify their signatures. He stated:

“We were told from September 26, 2018, that this process had to be played out in this manner. Now that the procurement process has been completed, we can expect to receive previously withheld information. Finally, the public will be able to obtain the long-awaited information as it relates to costs, build-out, EIA and social/economic reports, and very importantly, who is paying for it.”