St Kitts and Nevis has officially broken ground for construction of a new cruise terminal at Port Zante.

The groundbreaking ceremony, held on July 1, marks the start of a major redevelopment project being led by the St Christopher Air and Sea Ports Authority (SCASPA) as part of efforts to expand the country’s tourism industry and modernise its port infrastructure.

Unlike a traditional cruise port where ships make brief stops, the new facility will allow passengers to begin and end their cruises in St Kitts, a move the government believes will bring greater economic benefits through longer visitor stays, increased hotel occupancy, stronger demand for flights and higher spending by cruise travellers.

The terminal will include upgraded passenger processing facilities, modern baggage screening and security systems, and enhanced immigration technology designed to improve the arrival and departure experience.

SCASPA Chief Executive Officer Adeola Moore said the project represents another step in strengthening the country’s transport infrastructure.

“This project reflects SCASPA’s commitment to investing in facilities that are modern, efficient, resilient and future-ready,” Moore said. “Once completed, the terminal will significantly enhance the guest arrival and departure experience through improved passenger processing, state-of-the-art security and baggage screening systems, and modern immigration technologies comparable to those at the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport.”

Tourism Minister Marsha Henderson described the project as a significant step in the country’s plans to expand its role in the regional cruise industry.

“Today, we take a bold step beyond being a port of call as we position Saint Kitts and Nevis to becoming a transit port, joining the likes of Antigua and Barbados,” she said.

Henderson said home-porting is expected to create opportunities for hotels, restaurants, tour operators, taxi drivers and other local businesses by encouraging visitors to spend more time in the federation before and after their cruises.

She added that preparations remain on track for home-porting operations to begin in November 2027, noting that P&O Cruises has reported strong early demand for sailings departing from St Kitts while work continues with regional and local travel advisors.

The new terminal forms part of the government’s wider strategy to strengthen tourism, improve infrastructure and position St Kitts and Nevis as a leading cruise destination in the Caribbean.