Cruise-Ship Pier In Ocho Rios Expected To Play Vital Role In Recovery Effort

The cruise-ship pier in Ocho Rios, St. Ann, is poised to play a critical role in helping Jamaica recover economically, following the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.

The category-five system has devastated the tourism sector, particularly in the western parishes.

Speaking at the reopening of the main terminal at the Ocho Rios Port, in St. Ann on November 12, Chairman of the Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ), Alok Jain, said the event could not be more timely, given that approximately 40 per cent of Jamaica has been severely impacted by the hurricane.

He argued that the remaining areas of the country, including Ocho Rios, must intensify efforts to stimulate economic activity to help carry the country forward.

“When Ocho Rios was down, a lot of the business from here went to Falmouth, and the Falmouth business picked up. Now it’s flipped back the other way, so it shows the value in having diversity and having multiple ports, multiple berths,” Mr. Jain emphasised.

He added that the arrival of the Carnival Sunrise on the day was a fitting representation of renewed hope for the town and the wider tourism sector.

The port had been out of full operation since February 2024 when a severe weather event caused a cruise ship to repeatedly collide with the berth, inflicting major structural damage and forcing its closure.

Mr. Jain said the extensive rehabilitation that followed was not only aimed at restoring functionality but also at increasing the port’s resilience.

“Every time we have damage as a result of weather events, we have to look to build back better and stronger and often building back better and stronger also means building longer,” he explained.

“Also, we had the freak storm in February 2024, then we had Hurricane Beryl last year and now we have Hurricane Melissa in October. So, this is almost becoming the new normal, and so we have to build and be prepared,” Mr. Jain added.

In the meantime, he indicated that the new terminal has been engineered to withstand severe weather conditions and includes provisions for potential expansion.

Moreover, if cruise operators such as Carnival commit to increased volume, the facility could be further upgraded to accommodate three vessels simultaneously, with the possibility of handling four ships in the future.

“There are so many stakeholders that have suffered, that have been patient, that have provided their input, and what we’ve done here, I think, is a model for what can be done across Jamaica, particularly in the port towns,” Mr. Jain underscored.

“So, in a nutshell, there are a lot of lessons to be learned, a lot to be thankful for, and what we’ve achieved here could only have been achieved through partnership and support. I must thank Carnival, who has been a long-standing partner,” he added.

The reopening means renewed opportunities for craft vendors, transport operators, tour guides, attraction owners and small entrepreneurs who rely heavily on cruise passengers for their income.