Main Terminal At Ocho Rios Port Reopened

The Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) officially reopened the main terminal at Ocho Rios Port in St. Ann, on Wednesday, November 12, to signal that cruise tourism is open for business ahead of the winter season.

The ceremony celebrated the restoration of the crucial infrastructure, which was severely damaged by an extreme weather event on February 6, 2024, when a severe and unusual weather event caused a cruise ship to repeatedly strike the berth. The impact resulted in extensive damage and forced the suspension of operations at the main terminal.

“It has taken us some time to rebuild that berth [but] it’s an opportunity to celebrate the fact that the main terminal at the Ocho Rios Port in St. Ann is now reopened,” said President and Chief Executive Officer of the PAJ, Professor Gordon Shirley.

He explained that the incident posed a serious threat to Ocho Rios’ tourism-dependent economy.

However, swift action by the PAJ and its partners helped mitigate the fallout and the vessels scheduled for the main terminal were temporarily redirected to the nearby Reynolds Pier, where a prior investment of more than US$28 million to accommodate larger ships proved invaluable.

“Nonetheless, because we had the Reynolds Pier, we were able to also ensure that all the calls that were scheduled were accommodated within Jamaica,” Professor Shirley outlined.

“Moreover, we have other berths on the north coast in Montego Bay and Falmouth capable of taking ships as large as the Carnival Sunrise and larger. Of course, we have two other terminals in Port Antonio and Port Royal,” he added.

Tour operators, ground transport providers and craft vendors were even redirected to Falmouth and Montego Bay when vessels originally destined for Ocho Rios docked at those ports, to allow them to continue earning their livelihoods, said the President.

With the main terminal now officially open, Professor Shirley declared Ocho Rios ready to welcome back its cruise partners for the winter tourist season as well as in the wake of Hurricane Melissa.
He singled out having the Carnival Sunrise, a vessel from a long-standing partner, docked at the terminal for the occasion.

“Carnival is a very special cruise line. We are particularly pleased to have Senior Vice President of Carnival Corporation, Marie McKenzie, here with us today, and of course, Captain. It’s a special treat that you are here with us,” Professor Shirley said.

For her part, Ms. McKenzie said the event represented both a professional and personal milestone, as a proud Jamaican working for the cruise line.

She pointed out that Chairman of Carnival Corporation, Micky Arison, has a special affinity for Jamaica, and recognised that the best way to help the destination recover is to support the country’s economic activities.

Ms. McKenzie said Mr. Arison instructed her team to work with Jamaican authorities to get ships back into Ocho Rios as quickly as possible.

“So, I am truly happy that our first ships, Holland America, a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation came into the port on November 11, as well as Carnival Sunrise that is here for the official opening. So, Jamaica holds a special place in my company’s leadership’s heart,” Ms. McKenzie continued.

She also noted Carnival’s humanitarian contributions to Jamaica in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, including a personal US$1 million donation from Mr. Arison, through the Miami Heat and Carnival Foundations to support medical care on the island.

Additionally, President of Carnival Cruise Line, Christine Duffy, created grant programmes for the company’s more than 1,000 Jamaican crew members to help them support their families during the crisis.

In the meantime, Mayor of St. Ann’s Bay, Councillor Michael Belnavis, commended the collaborative efforts that led to the town’s recovery, noting that Ocho Rios is once again “ready for business”.

He lauded the restoration of the pier and improvements to infrastructure, including power and sewerage systems.

The Mayor noted that local attractions and vendors are prepared and thanked all who made it happen.