Harbor Dredging Project Nears Start as VIPA Receives Key Permit From USACE

With the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' approval, the Virgin Islands Port Authority moves forward with plans to dredge Charlotte Amalie Harbor, enhancing its capacity to accommodate larger cruise ships and boosting the local economy

The project to dredge Charlotte Amalie Harbor and accommodate larger cruise ships has advanced, according to V.I. Port Authority Executive Director Carlton Dowe. On Monday, he announced that VIPA has received the approved permit application from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This development is expected to improve access and navigability for cruise traffic, enhancing the local economy and fostering continued growth and development in the region.

The dredging project aims to provide a controlling depth of 12.1 meters (40 feet) in the main channel, 11.5 meters (38 feet) in the turning basin, and 10.9 meters (36 feet) at the West Indian Company (WICO) berths. This enhancement will allow the U.S. Virgin Islands to attract the largest cruise vessels, maintaining its status as a premier cruise destination in the Caribbean.