Cargo cited as key part of port project
George Town cargo port, Grand Cayman
(CNS): The government’s proposal to build a cruise ship berthing facility in the George Town Harbour is about more than developing piers for the mega ships but also about enlarging the cargo dock to get off the “small ship merry-go round” and reduce the cost of imports, Premier Alden McLaughlin told his legislative colleagues on Wednesday. He said that the financing of the project “must not place disproportionate risks on government” — a slight change from previous statements by the premier and the deputy premier insisting government will not be paying for the costly development.
As campaigners push for a people-initiated referendum on the issue, McLaughlin made no direct mention of that campaign but claimed that the people had already shown their support because almost everyone on the government benches had campaigned on a platform advocating the project.
Ahead of the debate on the opposition leader’s private member’s motion calling for government to trigger the referendum on the cruise port, which is expected today, the premier said that in every election over the last twelve or more years, all governments had a viable cruise dock as part of their election platform.
“In last year’s election campaign both political parties …and many independents, campaigned on building viable cruise piers. So, I am satisfied that the electorate has had ample opportunity over successive elections, including most recently at the polls last year, to have their say on the question of having enhanced port facilities – cruise and cargo,” McLaughlin said.
These comments come in the wake of a report on CNS Wednesday about the speaker urging his supporters not to get involved in the campaign for the referendum or sign the petition, claiming that it was about stopping the project rather than giving the people a direct choice.
A spokesperson for the Cruise Port Referendum campaign told CNS that, as citizens of a democracy, they expected the country’s leaders to encourage the public to exercise their constitutional rights without undue interference. “This does not bode well for our country and our democracy,” the campaigner added.
The question of whether or not the people supported the project via the ballot box in 2017 remains because many voters had no candidate in their constituency who did not support the project. Austin Harris, the only person now in government who campaigned against it, was elected by a comfortable margin but is now understood to be backing the project.
Given that there was no overall majority and that the people did not vote directly for this Government of National Unity, the premier’s claim that the country supported it at the polls is called into question.
The project has also changed throughout the process, as was made clear by the premier yesterday when he emphasised the importance now of the cargo enhancement.
“By ensuring that the country’s main cargo dock can also accommodate larger cargo ships, we will help reduce shipping costs and in so doing help lower the cost of goods shipped to Grand Cayman,” he said. “This provides us with a valuable opportunity to reduce the cost of products coming into our Islands and lower the cost of living for Caymanians and residents.
“By accepting larger cargo ships, we can also attract those that now bypass us taking produce and seafood from South and Central America to Miami – only to off-load and transfer these foodstuffs onto smaller vessels that come to Grand Cayman, again, adding another level of shipping and other costs to products imported into our islands.”
McLaughlin added, “We have to get off the small ship merry-go-round if we are to have a chance at reducing the cost of living in these islands.”
While he said the development must minimise environmental impacts there is a trade-off as he tried to downplay the actual destruction.
“Assessing the potential environmental impact of the development of the cruise berthing is not simply a case of weighing the potential environmental damage that will be caused by the port development against a scenario of no damage if the status quo is allowed to remain,” he said.
“To believe that is to ignore the decades of massive anchor damage sustained by the reefs in George Town Harbour, often caused by cruise ships. And as long as cruise ships are allowed to anchor in the harbour, the risk of more environmental damage will continue. That consideration must be part of the overall assessment of the costs and benefits of the new port,” the premier added.
McLaughlin failed to paint a true picture of the actual amount of marine habitat destruction this project will involve in the direct footprint and, even more importantly, the damage that will occur during the years of construction, which has not yet been properly assessed. Nevertheless, the premier was clear that his government is pressing ahead.
“We have also been clear — and we are determined — that the financing must not place disproportionate risks on government finances. In June this year the deputy premier confirmed that the negotiations with the cruise companies regarding those issues, among others, remain on track,” he said.
However, he said that the “commercially sensitive nature of the discussions” prevented government from providing a “running commentary on progress that some have called for”.
He claimed that government had been transparent and forthcoming from the beginning and had kept the public as up to date as possible, with all reports being made public and holding public meetings. However, over the last year or more the progress of the project has been going on behind closed doors and what type of tendering process the government is following is unknown.
McLaughlin said that government believes it is in the “national interest of the Cayman Islands to proceed with the port project” and “to build it as affordably as we can, and with the cruise companies having skin in the game”.
Despite recent news that the Department of Environment had been removed from the steering committee on the port project, the premier said that government would do want it could to limit the environmental impact.
Category: Local News
Anybody knows where I can donate money to help the referendum effort?
Do we need a decent, modern, functional, multi purpose port that will do our country proud? Why yes indeed we most certainly do. Do we need a multi- hundred- million dollar white elephant based on the stupendously ridiculous premise that it will somehow reduce living costs for our average Joe, and one that will bring us many thousands of more tourists than we can already handle? Two hundred million times I say no we don’t need that white elephant. Will our country and our government ever return to some semblance of normalcy???
Very important that we get this dock built.
We could have a bridge connecting us directly to Miami, the greedy vendors here would still be braking it off in us. It’s laughable to listen to the Minister talk about cost of living going down if we have a new port! Just laughable!!
The premier and pro-port groups are making some stretches here. A 2 -300 million dollar dock and larger ships will not make anything cheaper…just the opposite will occur as Cayman can accommodate only so many guests. Any more and we will continue to negatively impact our residents and overnight guests who spend far more than cruisers. Greediness will be our ruination. All the referendum is asking for is more clarity. What could the CIG and pro-port group be so afraid of? And now removing the DoE? Seems fishy!
I’ll be signing in favour or the referendum this weekend!
We already host the largest ships over 100k GT operating in our cruise theater, with regular 14-17k passenger days already on the calendar and 40-80 arriving boats a month. The handful of 180k GT boats, yet to be conceived, are all destined to home ports elsewhere (these are public companies with searchable filings). CI Port annual receipts for cruise passengers (1,549,799 x $2.46 = $3,812,505), would fall to zero for decades (I calculate 78 years to break even) under the get-someone-else-to-pay proposal. We would also effectively limit our capacity to 4 ships from the 6 and 7 ship days we now host during peak season, so maybe 80-90 years is more realistic using current arrival metrics. None of this port building caper makes sense. Please sign!
There is one of two things going on here………the Premier believes that the majority of the voting public are really too stupid to see that the attempt to sell this whole dock deal is good for the people as it will lower the cost of goods, therefore lowering the cost of living. For the naysayers that are attempting to get a referendum on the Port, to suggest they had their say already during the election as this was a major platform the Gov ran on, however this was not a Government that was even on the table prior to the election as they were all against each other…….ok at least some were……….but they all had the dock idea published……….?????????……………or the second thing is the people are really this stupid to not see through this?
When someone won’t tell you what is so good for you, but insists that they know best and told you about it already but in truth have not and push for this something to happen and then try to tell you we are doing this just for.you but won’t really tell you what it is, that is wrong. This strikes at the very fabric of a democracy. Open your eyes!
Yea, and this proposed “Swiss Army Knife” port project will be able to teleport sea cargo too! Boy, Alden has really got his hands on some real mind altering stuff, It’s amazing how some people still can’t see the some he’s blowing out his a$$.
In other news: Port supporters clutch at straws.
Stopping a big ship in Cayman to unload to unload some containers will cost more than doing it with a small ship. Small ships exist to serve small ports, which is what Cayman is and always will be. (It also helps to have some outbound loads which Cayman doesn’t)
Hang on… Is he suggesting they’ll be moving containers around on those finger quays? With tourists all around? no way, Jose.
What a stupid comment from an ignorant poster.
The cargo facility will be separated and purpose designed/built.
Not clear from the amateur drawings that have been released.
My family and I have been coming to Cayman for over 30 years, staying for 1-2 weeks at a time. This March we will be there for 10 nights spending nearly $10,000 CI on lodging alone. It’s near certainty that we won’t be returning again. The cruise pier will ruin it for us. We always stay at Lacovia. We are not going to spend that much money and have to pay to fly there too, to walk the beach and find it even MORE inundated. Where will everyone go? Already on our 2 trips this year we have found that some areas of the beach are practically impassable due to the number of day trippers squeezed onto the beach. My heart breaks for this Island. Talk about killing the goose that laid the golden egg.
There are so many fantastic places in the US we can go to spend $15,000-$20,000. We had our time on Cayman but it’s over.
Sorry but someone will probably say good riddance to you. I hope not. Very sad to hear you won’t be returning but your logic is sound.
Now there is something for these greedy stupid politicians and the DOT and DOT Minister to read .
How Anonymous 9:05am , long time visitors to Cayman and the decision that THEY are making to NOT return . Talking about killing the goose that layed the golden egg , and pissing off your tourists/customers .
You are precisely the kind of visitor that we love. Alas, our government, ably assisted by Dart want to change this place into a year round spring break.
Please accept our apologies, but we are also sorry for electing XXXX politicians who sold this island for their own profit and for an oligarch whose despotism knows no end.
I recommend you support a place that will appreciate you for who you are, not for the size of your wallet, because that is all we care about over here.
Did you know that our government is totally controlled by a Freemason cabal? Perhaps that will answer a few of your questions. Unfortunately, our “Free” press are anything but free, more like shackled by fear, so you may never know the truth.
You start telling the truth and they start pulling their tinfoil hat, conspiracy theorist bullshit so they can hide their personal weakness. Grow a bloody pair!
Go in peace. When we clean this mess up, we’ll give you a call.
CNS: Talking of tinfoil hat, conspiracy theorist bullshit…..
Love it, where do we get those tin foil hats from? We should all put them on when the pro-porters start their drivel…they think the anti brigade are insane anyway, especially for not wanting the few to line their pockets at the expense of the many, never mind the environmental concerns and complete lack of information
Lol.
you wont be staying at lacovia next year if the rumors are to be believed
“There are so many fantastic places in the US we can go to spend $15,000-$20,000. We had our time on Cayman but it’s over.”
Well you and your family enjoy that luv, however, it will never compare. 😉
If only.
Sorry buddy, Lacovia may fall into the see from the dredging so you may have to go to Morritts next time.
So the Premier is suggesting that the shipping companies are going to reduce their rates for us because the ship is bigger?
Thats like a government saying we will only charge you VAT/GST for a few years until things get better then we are going to get rid of them…..
Dont insult our intelligence, the cost of living has soared during your tenure.
Ok Allan Greenspan
How about trying to retrieve tax payers money first on the recent port furniture and the inflated salaries that were both bought and given then we can start to believe in you.
I don’t believe this will result in any reduction of cost of living. What may be saved in the larger ships will be lost in inventory storage. Presumably, supermarkets have a finite amount of storage based on the current demands.
I would also be concerned about the volume of produce staying on the shelves over a longer period. Won’t be as fresh and supermarkets’ losses in spoilage would be passed on to — guess who.
Not as simple, is it?!
We also are now beginning to hear about not placing “disproportionate risks” on government. Given the government’s track record for financial risk management, I am not betting on the Premier’s current outlook. In any case, we had heard up to now, as has been already observed, that government would not bear ANY of the costs. Those risks are now staring tax payers straight in the face.
And, by the way, if the scenario that we would not be bearing the cost would prove correct, we must also be aware that we would not be reaping any direct financial benefits either.
Unah read very careful what Anon 7:14am said , which makes allot of sense to me . The best point of view , who will be paying for everything . The waste and the dock and everything else in between .
Smoke and mirrors?
Every f’ing day buddy!
They pulled this one out the caboose!
Anonymous 2:53pm , yes smoke and mirror, and the biggest pile of bullshit ever said .
McLaughlin said we have to get off the small ship merry go round , and get on the big cargo ship , if we want to reduce the cost of living .
Has the cost of living ever went down in the history of the Islands ? And he McLaughlin said that the Islands are in best situation the Islands has ever been in under his government . Did the cost of living go down or up in past 4 years ? So then according him a cruise ship pier and cargo dock will bring the cost of living down for you Taxpayers who will be paying for everything . How would that bring the cost of living down ? That would be adding more debt to the deficit . So therefore your cost of living has to go up to pay off for the cargo dock and pier . Did any of the politicians promise to help pay for these expensive projects ?
Then for them to claim that none of the candidates in 2017 ran on cruise ship pier , but Harris was against it , but now he’s all for the pier , more hogwash , and who is Harris in this pier project ?
I think that what McLaughlin is trying to do here is to convince everyone on building cargo dock , and when we agree on the cargo dock , he will slip the pier in at the same time . Because if you have to destroy the environment to build the dock , it wouldn’t be any difference to do it for the pier .
Such negative cry babies! The Unity team in conjunction with Decco supreme management & cost control along with CHEC will develop a wonderful new facility that will be the envy of the world. We have the best leaders ever!
Yoy’re wearing out your welcome, inept troll.
If we can accommodate larger cargo ships wont the shippers just sail less often?
CNS.. I’m curious.. is there any form of IP address audit conducted on the comments left on these articles?
The reason I ask is that it seems strange to me that I find it nearly impossible to find anyone that supports this dock face to face but find troves of supporters commenting in favor online…
Just my 2 cents – but if I had skin in the game on this dock (or any other project for that matter) and i needed to swing public opinion in my favor … a few paid off spin doctors making comments supporting my narrative could go a long way …. just saying
CNS: I can see the IP address of commenters and I can also track which comments that IP address is attached to. However, other than that, the most information I can glean is where the IP is (I can see whether it is in the Cayman Islands, not which district). Also, few people have static IP addresses, so you get a new one fairly regularly, and the same IP address will show up for a group of people on the same network.
What’s the big deal if CNS can see your IP address? There’s growing number of people in Cayman who are savvy enough to use a VPN. Theoretical your device’s IP address or desktop can seemingly be in Timbuktu if you want it to be.
Bottom line is you don’t really know where’s someone is posting comments from these days unless you really want to do some heavy cyber forensics.
And just the small matter of freedom of speech and expression.
Most of the people in favor here are Kirkbots who just make multiples posts in favor of it to spread their “opinion”
4.08pm Of course the Tenderbots have access to the same technology that you speak of.
True but at least tenderbots don’t thumbs down fact and logic.
Tenderbots? Are you serious? I’m against the building of this new facility and that makes me a tenderbot?
Just to inform you, the ‘kirkbots’ are named for all the jewellery store staff in town that will benefit from the new dock. Just who do you think the tenderbots are? Those guys that work the tenders? You are sorely mistaken if you think they are sitting around after their shift clicking thumbs. HAHAHAHA!
Don’t forget the Island Company bots!! There are way more of them than the Kirk bots. In fact, I think it is interesting how Dart and Island Companies have managed to keep out of the fray when they are in deeper than the Kirk bots. Shhhhhhhhh….
North sound idea would benefit which company?
If that passes you by, then you far from it.
An IP address only determines the device connection, it does not reveal the identity of the person at the keyboard, unless you infiltrate that device with other software that may reveal the persons ID.
WHO CARES!?
So basically if an elected member or members works for a news organization, he or she has access to know a little more about who is for or against the person or such things like a port project and so forth and so on.?
So much for that idea about anonymously.
Start to make sense now.
CNS: Take the tin foil hat off and read it again. I (Nicky) can only tell where you are roughly. In a small country like the Cayman Islands, I can only tell whether or not you are in the Cayman Islands, not which district you are in and certainly not your identity unless you add identifying information by choice when you post a comment. The only people who have access to even this limited information on CNS are the three people who post or edit articles – Wendy, Nicky and Iris. No one else has ever had that access, even if they have contributed articles. So your anonymity is perfectly safe. But I suspect you knew that.
There are also some of us using VPNs to watch TV and update apps from abroad. Whilst helpful, an IPS audit is not too reliable these days.
Nobody in their right mind would even attempt to build a cargo port for Cayman’s future on its current location.
Do you understand what that would mean for George Town?
We need a new cargo facility (and very badly) BUT please not in the current location.
1.36pm Ok then . Now I understand who is pushing to stop the port development. You all want to bring back that port proposal for East End, the same one that Arden fought so hard against.Funny thing is Arden and Ezzard don’t realize it yet. I guess it is ok to destroy the environment in East End and disrupt the commute between East End and the rest of the island.
Disrupt the commute to EE? HA.
Who going up there on a regular?
But, back to the original poster, the port needs to GO. FACT.
It is not in the right location anymore….we not in the 50’s anymore…
We will be soon.
Even if by some miracle the larger cargo vessels do stop by Cayman and drop off cheaper goods… you guys are smoking crack if you think that the likes of Kirk’s / Fosters will drop their prices as a result…
Higher margins will just mean larger profits for the supermarket chains
Long live the cartels!
There was once a campaign against building Owen Roberts airport in favour of keeping the seaplanes; it was only when Owen Roberts crashed and died that opinion changed.
Obvious parallel.
So by your comment if a cruise ship collided with a dock somewhere and sank then we wouldn’t build the dock? Too bad that cruise ship in Honduras a few months back didn’t sink when she hit the dock like she did.
“The question of whether or not the people supported the project via the ballot box in 2017 remains because many voters had no candidate in their constituency who did not support the project”
But yea “we asked for this,” just wow.
Yes, this is the problem. They all support it, but that does not mean we do and it does not mean voting for them over others is an endorsement of the project; it means we chose the least bad people and they happened to be in favour of this one thing. You can’t interpret the ‘will of the people’ on this issue from previous elections because those were faught and decided on bigger themes and issues taken as a whole. Namely, Progressive overspending, getting First Premier Trump-Bush out, and then the first-under-single-member-constituencies dynamics where the prevailing social and political winds blew a bunch of bumbling idiot independents into the LA in such numbers that the professional politicians were forced to team up to prevent the disgrace that would be a Cabinet made up of today’s opposition. NOTHING to do with the Port, except that Mac’s desire to get it done come hell or high water in similar circumstances of secrecy played a big part in him LOSING the 2013 election whether he campaigned on it in 2009 or not (before we had any indication of environmental damage). What has in fact happened over the past 12 years is Caymanians have voted against unaffordable schemes and corruption and this project looks like both!
Public contracts are not usually thought of as commercially sensitive. They are supposed to be out in the open with public bidding. Design build contracts are no different. All that’s sensitive here is who’s in bed with whom.
You must not understand how an RFP process works. Submissions are confidential during the bidding process, and only available to the public after the bid is awarded.
This is common sense. Otherwise, the bidders would all see what each other are bidding.
In the international transparent arena there is usually a business case and a relevant EIA prior to any qualified bidder selection. The bidding process that later comes after steps one and two and three, comes from that smaller universe of known qualified bidders that have been vetted by gov’t, public, and NGOs, and the subsequent bidding is usually overseen by a neutral third party or government agency tasked with ensuring a testable, fair, and merit-based process. We are currently so far from any semblance of this, with a government that refuses to enact the Standards in Public Life Law, that wasn’t returned to office with a mandate by the people, and that spray a layer of grease on the windows of everything they are doing – including to the Opposition (whom we pay to shadow the elected gov’t).
Wrong. They are properly revealed after the bid submission deadline, not after the final award. Everyone should see the bids after they are all in. It’s called transparency. Waiting until the contract is awarded before revealing any information is the opposite of transparency.
Pretty, pretty please – somebody out there!!!!!
EXPLAIN to me… HOW can building a 200 million dollar berthing facility “reduce the cost of imports” ????????
Will the grandeur cost of this project not have to be recouped somehow?
Are they expecting the cruise passenger taxes to also cover the additional costs of development for the cargo portion?
Obviously the sensible thing to do for cost recovery would be to apply the income from the relevant service to its portion of the expense (as all sensible business owners do whenever possible) – in other words, customs duties would have to rise therefore INCREASING the cost of imports…
WTFudgecake did I just read? Please tell me he did not say that; I refuse to believe he said that… nope, it is a typo, our Premier did not say that ….
MM The $200 million is the cost of berthing facilities and cargo facilities combined. So it is wrong to ask ” HOW can building a 200 million dollar berthing facility “reduce the cost of imports” A better question might be how can building a $30 million cargo facility reduce the cost of imports. The answer given was that merchants would be able to bring more merchandise at a reduced rate.Also with expanded facilities there would be be an opportunity to greatly reduce overtime costs to process the ships since in all likelihood they could be discharged during normal daytime hours.
Utter rot! Costs won’t be reduced by “bigger ships, more cargo” – there is still duty to be paid – just a bigger lump sum, and the retailers certainly won’t be lowering their prices – this will only increase their profits. Overtime will continue as, although less frequent shipments, more goods to off-board into the retailers hands in one shipment. Wages won’t be increased. Win/win for them – still a losing situation for the consumer. Don’t buy into the rhetoric!
The shipping lines aren’t going to use bigger ships to bring the same little cargo. They would like to unload the whole ship at one place. Cayman is not that place so you will always be served with island hoppers. You can build the dock halfway to Jamaica and this will not change.
The Premier isn’t fooled by the big mouth political wannabes and the people pushing from overseas to make it look like there is support against the dock. Keep moving, Build the dock!
Have you had a look at the Falmouth, Ja set up? Go take a look and tell me who of the common man/regular worker is benefitting from it – not a one!
1:33 And check out – https://www.cruiselawnews.com/2017/07/articles/caribbean-islands/royal-caribbean-to-pull-some-of-its-cruise-ships-from-falmouth-jamaica/
when you post a link, you need to add the headline and some quotes to get people a “taste” of the article
“The article cites three reason expressed by the Falmouth mayor for the disruption of arrivals at the port: (1) “visitor harassment,” (2) the “conduct of tour bus operators,” and (3) “craft vendors leaving much to be desired.””
And just what makes you think this will not resemble us? Have you been to public beach on SMB lately?
Poor attempt at spinning this, very poor. Badly researched and not accurate from the Premier. I also note that the pro-port Facebook page has agreed with big Mac that we don’t need a referendum, accusing the anti port people of being undemocratic, all foreigners and anti Cayman. Expats don’t get to vote. Expats signatures on the petition don’t count to referendum numbers. A referendum, by definition, is pretty much the most democratic thing you can do. As many have said..they know they will lose
@ 12:30 Of course the pro-port FB page will agree with Mac, it will agree with anything him, Moses and Alden are saying and oh by the way, only registered voters can sign the petition. Last time I checked, Expats can’t vote so how can they sign the petition?
And how does me saying I don’t want the port built and I will sign a petition for a referendum (which by it’s nature is one of the most democratic things you can do) because I fear the dock will harm the islands financially and environmentally, makes me “undemocratic, all foreigners and anti Cayman”
I am a Caymanian, born and raised multi-generational, I am exercising my democratic right to make a choice and sign for a referendum so that we can democratically vote on the matter because I care deeply about my homeland.
Only “anti-Caymanian” I see here is you muppet.
– Muppet Hunter
I think you missed the point, such is your zealousness. If you had read the article earlier in the week (I know you did, if I recall correctly you commented on it) that of the 1000 odd people that had signed by last weekend, only 800 were registered Cayman voters, the others just signed it, but their votes don’t count. The poster is suggesting that the referendum should go ahead, and that not to do it will be a travesty of justice. Don’t get too carried away in your muppet hunt, you might start hitting the wrong targets.
@4:48 Point taken. Unlike Kirkbots I can admit my mistakes.
– Muppet “Head” Hunter
Muppet Head Perhaps you should pay attention to what is going on around you , then you would realize that expats are being encouraged to sign by at least one of the groups organizing the petition. Maybe you should try harder to learn a little more about who/what you are supporting.
@7:31
1. Thanks for the compliment, I’m happy to know I’m noticed.
2. Expats signatures are void as they are not registered voters and that “group” getting them to sign should know better.
3. Even if they did that doesn’t change the fact the dock is a bad deal so yes I do know who/what I am supporting, the real question is do you?
– Muppet “Head” Hunter
7.31 your point displays the complete disdain for expats here, many of whom have contributed much to Cayman be that in revenue to CIG from work permits, taxes in the form of import and duty taxes, providing jobs for domestic helpers and others and supporting very well worth while charities to the tune of millions. When expats clean rubbish off the beaches, cull lionfish, that’s OK, but God forbid with all their worldly experience from other places that they should have a thought or two about what the proposed dock means to Cayman, and Caymanians. Most expats I know care deeply for this place. In this case expat signatures (or tourists for that matter) don’t count and will not matter, they are just using their God given freedom of speech to express their disdain for this white elephant. Your attempt to turn this into something else is yet another mark of how low the pro-porters are prepared to sink to get their way. Disgusting person and disgusting comment.
Once professional expats head for the greener and cleaner pastures, because they can, will see how your rhetoric changes.
Children are being born with cancer here and your people die from it hardly reaching 60s. Not smart-expat idea of paradise.
With new port environmental overload could reach a breaking point.
No!! The cargo needs to be moved COMPLETELY OUT of Georgetown. Those trucks hammering through the centre of GT in the evenings is why NO seafront city establishment can attract night time business. I remember trying to sit out on the balcony of Breezes By the Bay and had to stop talking every time a truck barrelled past, which was every 60 seconds.
You people got NO forethought about anything and that’s why you’re stuck with each situation that needs to be fixed!! Think Mt. Trashmore, beach access, moratorium on height of buildings, the number of cars pon de road, likkle walls around each yard preventing a sidewalk or bicycle lane, for a start. And you’ve just nearly completed a 2 lane bypass that already needs to be 3 lanes!!
20 years ago you paved West Bay Road without allowance for proper drainage and another missed opportunity for a bicycle lane.
Ugh!
And you wonder why the ‘expats’ keep trying to get involved. They come from vast and different backgrounds and have knowledge and ideas that may be useful….
Though, If it aint broke dont break it.
someone please find a link to communications where cargo was ever cited as a reason for the port. If it can’t be found… wow.
This is going back to the ‘red star’ proposal from the previous PPM government. Ask why that one didn’t get built.
Atlantic Star, close though.
The Premier clearly doesn’t understand a few things about shipping. The small ships that come in here now are only full around the busy Christmas shipping. The rest of the time they are more than adequate to meet our needs. And the large ships going from South America to Miami are not going to stop and drop half a container of bananas – they will continue to use the hub system and their clients will still use their distributors.
Also working against that big ship less frequency theory is the freshness factor… As it is produce doesn’t last long and refrigerated cargo comes on most all vessels.
On the other hand, thinking about it, maybe the big ships would stop on their way to Miami if we increase our consumption. I vote to feed the monkeys trying to sell us the port plan more bananas in an effort to achieve this at least.
I think the monkeys are already being fed lots of bananas by the Chinese and the local tourist shop merchants.
Our Premier is just a front man for the people that run things for their own benefit, and NOT for the Caymanian people. He has proved it beyond a shadow of a doubt by his continued disregard for our general well-being and our future existence.
I have to admit now that I have been totally fooled by Alden over the years but thank God I have awakened from my slumber. Mr. Mclaughlin you will do ANYTHING for power.
Maybe you can start by showing us the EIA for the current port proposal as one does not exist yet you say you are concerned about the environment and that we do not need a referendum. Totally ashamed of you.!!
Correction: “CNS failed to paint a true picture of the actual amount of marine habitat destruction this project will involve in the direct footprint and, even more importantly, the damage that will likely NOT occur during the years of construction, which has not yet been properly assessed. Nevertheless, the premier was clear that his government is pressing ahead.”
They’ll be no money left to solve the cargo facilities. This is just an empty promise and deal sweetener put out as bait in light of growing opposition think for a minute there’s truth to this.
Does Alden really believe we’re that gullible?
Who is financing the project if there is no government guaranty provided? How much will it costs Cayman?
Well, like all loans that CIG needs, it’s the UK that underwrites them. So don’t be surprised if this weeks news doesn’t light a fire under the FCO.
Alden show us the plans give us all the information
ANTI-GOVERNMENT PEOPLE WITH AMNESIA
“A spokesperson for the Cruise Port Referendum campaign told CNS that, as citizens of a democracy, they expected the country’s leaders to encourage the public to exercise their constitutional rights without undue interference. ‘This does not bode well for our country and our democracy,’ the campaigner added”
Wha ???!!!
You people oppossing government have lost your memory! Every successive election, you folk have supported political candidates who campained for having a Cruise Berthing Facility! This is EVERY ELECTION CYCLE!
And now, you are saying government is against your democratic rights???!!! You want to kill the progress that took years in the making! Years … by which you voted for!
You Cayman people amaze me!
Cargo, you talking about cargo? Cargo will be brought in by drone before the next decade is done. Get with the times man.
Dirigible Drones for cargo delivery. I like it. Somebody call in the dragon-sharks.
For the same logic, we don’t need the dock. People will have their flying cars and personal ride drones. We might need a cloud based car park though. We can use sky hooks to keep the cloud in place. Will be much cheaper and make more sense than the dock.