The Tribune

Carnival Cruise Line has reaffirmed its commitment to its $100m Grand Bahama cruise port project despite the devastation inflicted upon the northern Bahamas by Hurricane Dorian.

Giora Israel, the cruise line’s senior vice-president of global port and destination development, said on a Friday visit to Freeport: “I’m here to advise that Carnival was committed, is committed and re-committed to the port project.

“As soon as is practically possible, we will finalise the paper work with the government and we want to do it here in Grand Bahama, with the Prime Minister, so that we can go to work. We remain committed to this project.

Speaking at the Emergency Operation Centre at the CA Smith Building, Mr Israel added: “Just ten days ago, or more, the Prime Minister and minister Thompson, in Nassau, announced that an agreement has been reached and finalised for the construction of a major cruise port in Grand Bahama, which we had announced in February of this year. I just want to reaffirm that we are still committed to that project.”

Mr. Israel, together with Marie McKenzie, vice-president of global ports and Caribbean government relations; David Candib, vice-president of development and operations, global port and destination development group; and Carlos Estrada, director of commercial home port operations, travelled to Grand Bahama to assess Hurricane Dorian’s impact and deliver relief supplies.

The Carnival executives also held a private meeting with K Peter Turnquest, deputy prime minister, and Kwasi Thompson, minister of state for Grand Bahama. “A part of our goal in providing help to Grand Bahama is to do our part to help bring the economy back on its feet, and quickly, and to bring hope back to the people of Grand Bahama,” said Mr Israel.

“Carnival has a long, great relationship with The Bahamas that spans many decades, and so in line with that relationship we feel that it was not even a question of whether or not we would step in and do our part to help Grand Bahama.”

Senator Thompson added: “We are very pleased that Carnival has confirmed their commitment to the cruise port. That message is essential for the relief, the recovery and the comeback. I think that message is one which all Grand Bahamians will take note of and would be pleased about.

“I want to thank Carnival Corporation and the entire team for their decision to come to Grand Bahama at this time, which confirms their partnership and commitment to Grand Bahama. They didn’t come empty-handed, but they brought with them loads of relief items, essential medical supplies and personnel. So to them we say: ‘thank you’.

“In fact, we want to say how much we appreciate the entire cruise industry. They have really come together, have been committed, and they were some of the first groups of people to come in and bring relief for the whole island of Grand Bahama.”

Mr Israel said Carnival is also looking to the medium and long-term revival of Grand Bahama’s economy, including the re-opening of the Grand Bahama Shipyard as soon as possible. As one of the original founders of the Shipyard more than 20 years ago, Mr Israel says he understands the project’s importance.

“It would be good if the Shipyard could be opened quickly,” said Mr Israel. “We (Carnival, the government and executives of the Shipyard) are in discussions about what it would take to make that possible in a matter of days.

“Not only does the Shipyard create jobs for those who work there, but it creates a lot of auxiliary contributions to the economy - from airlines, port agents, hotels and restaurants. We want to make sure that businesses are coming back, that the economy rebounds; that beyond the most urgent and immediate help, we are looking to the future.”

Mr Thompson said the Shipyard was critical to re-starting the economy of Grand Bahama, together with the cruise industry. He added that Carnival officials were already making connections with port agents to assess whether they can bring in passengers, and will have further talks with the taxi association and tour operators to determine the right day to bring in cruise visitors.

“The prime minister himself noted that one of the best ways a person can show his/her way of bringing relief is to continue to do business with The Bahamas,” said Mr Thompson. “So, Carnival’s commitment to continue to bring cruise ships to Grand Bahama is what will help us a lot.

“One of the things that we have to rebuild quickly is the business sector of Grand Bahama, which was hugely affected by severe flooding. So to have partners that come and say that they are fully committed and on the ground early, is very important.”