MEDIA

03 Feb 2026

Antigua Cruise Port Debuts New Terminal, Expanding Business Opportunities

Antigua Cruise Port (ACP) has officially unveiled its new cruise terminal, a flagship investment under the long-term public-private partnership between the Government of Antigua and Barbuda and Global Ports Holding (GPH), the world’s largest cruise port operator.

Designed to support homeporting and turnaround operations, the purpose-built facility enhances passenger flow, elevates passenger experiences, and strengthen Antigua and Barbuda’s global standing in the cruise tourism industry. The opening ceremony brought together Government officials, executives of Global Ports Holding, the Antigua Cruise Port team, cruise line partners, community stakeholders and a number of international guests to celebrate the project’s delivery and the impact it will have on the future of cruise tourism in the region.

In his opening remarks, Gasper George, General Manager of Antigua Cruise Port, reflected on the journey from concept to completion.

“After driving 387 foundation piles, we mark one year since we gathered on this very site for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Upland Development Project. Today, we return with purpose and pride to officially unveil this cruise terminal - completing phase one of a transformational investment in Antigua and Barbuda’s cruise infrastructure.”

He emphasized the cruise terminal’s role in strengthening the destination’s homeporting capability.

“This terminal was once an idea, once a plan, once a vision, but today it stands as a tangible symbol of progress. Since 2022, operating under a makeshift marque tent, Antigua Cruise Port has successfully delivered homeporting and turnaround operations, beginning with P&O Cruises Excel class vessel – Arvia. Yet even under those circumstances, we consistently demonstrated operational excellence, professionalism and reliability. Now, with a more than 10,000 square feet purpose-built facility, Antigua and Barbuda is clearly positioned to do even more.”

Antigua Cruise Port has recorded a steady upward trajectory in cruise activity, reflecting growing cruise line confidence in Antigua & Barbuda as a premier homeport and destination. Annual cruise numbers boomed from 124 calls (81,395 pax) in 2021 to 436 calls (808,345 pax) in 2025, underscoring the destination’s recovery momentum and expanding role within the regional cruise network.

Mr. George noted that cruise partners have already signaled plans to expand homeporting operations in 2027, translating into increased passenger arrivals, more overnight stays and greater local spending.

Lancelot Arnold, Regional Director for GPH Eastern Caribbean, highlighted the growing strategic importance of Antigua Cruise Port within the Caribbean.

“As home porting and turnaround capacity continues to grow, Antigua is increasingly positioned as both a destination and a gateway, supporting itineraries that extend further south to destinations such as St Lucia and across the southern Caribbean. In this way, our investment in Antigua Cruise Port is not only contributing to national growth, but to regional connectivity and resilience. It demonstrates how strategic infrastructure can support a more integrated and competitive Caribbean cruise offering, one where destinations complement, rather than just compete with each other.”

Addressing the audience, Mehmet Kutman, Founder and Chairman of Global Ports Holding (GPH), reaffirmed the company’s long-term commitment to Antigua & Barbuda.

“For many Caribbean islands, tourism is the main industry – so sustainability is crucial, and for Global Ports Holding, sustainability is item number one on our agenda and this terminal reflects that commitment.”

Mr. Kutman also shared his personal connection to Antigua and Barbuda, noting his pride in now being a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda.

Delivering the keynote address, Hon. Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua & Barbuda, described the terminal as a catalyst for national development and thanked Global Ports Holding for its confidence in Antigua and Barbuda.

“This upland facility will transform the cruise tourism product in Antigua and Barbuda, to the extent that I believe that our destination will become a destination of choice. Many opportunities are being created for Antiguans and Barbudans, and I want to encourage our people, even those in the creative sector, to seize them to ply their trade; especially as a number of shops and kiosks are being made available through Antigua Cruise Port’s recent public call for Expressions of Interest (EOIs) in the upland development spaces for business.”

The Prime Minister encouraged citizens to invest and invited Global Ports Holding to explore future partnerships, including projects at Barnacle Point and in Barbuda.

Hon. Charles Fernandez, Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation and Investment, underscored the broader impact that the partnership with GPH has had on the tourism sector.

“From the outset, GPH and ACP brought global expertise, operational excellence and a long-term vision of what a modern cruise destination must be - efficient, guest focused, commercially vibrant and deeply connected to the local economy. Antigua Cruise Port has become more than a facility. It has become a platform, one that connects cruise passengers to our people, our culture, our entrepreneurs and our communities.”

He added, “Antigua and Barbuda faced a choice, we needed a partner with scale, experience and credibility, one that could help us move from being simply a port of call to becoming a regional leader in cruise operations and home porting - Global Ports Holding offered that opportunity and Antigua Cruise Port has delivered on that promise.

As part of the celebrations, Elijah James, Marketing & Communications Manager at Antigua Cruise Port, announced the launch of the “Name the Quay” competition, inviting Antiguans and Barbudans at home and abroad to help shape the next chapter of the country’s cruise tourism story.

For submission forms or to obtain more information on the Name the Quay competition and/or Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from local entrepreneurs for spaces within the Upland Development, contact Antigua Cruise Port.

Email: info@antiguacruiseport.com

As Antigua & Barbuda enters this new chapter, Antigua Cruise Port remains focused on delivering the next phase of the Upland Development, scheduled for completion by July 2026, strengthening its commitment to ensuring that cruise tourism creates lasting value for the nation.