Prime Minister Gaston Browne says a major shipping company has expressed interest in diverting cargo traffic to Antigua and Barbuda, a move he believes could accelerate the country’s ambitions to become a leading transshipment hub in the Eastern Caribbean.
Speaking on the Browne and Browne show, Browne said the inquiry came recently and was directly linked to the government’s investment in a new $16 million crane at the Deepwater Harbour port. He told listeners that the company’s interest would not have materialised without the upgraded equipment now in place.
“If we didn’t have that crane, the call that we got yesterday about shifting the traffic here would not have happened,” Browne said.
According to the Prime Minister, the potential deal could significantly increase cargo volumes through Antigua, forcing the port to scale up rapidly to meet future demand. He said the anticipated growth would require at least two additional cranes and a larger operational footprint.
“If that deal goes through… you will have several of those cranes on the port, at least maybe another two more, because based on the volumes, you’re going to have a number of ships,” Browne said.
The increased activity is already prompting structural changes. Browne confirmed that the government intends to cut down Rat Island to create additional land for storage, equipment, and expanded cargo handling areas. He said the existing port—although recently modernised—is quickly approaching capacity due to rising transshipment activity.
“The whole idea is to cut down Rat Island to create more land because we need more space,” he said.
Browne explained that the regional transshipment opportunity is strengthened by Guyana’s growing trade links with Brazil, where goods can be moved northward for further distribution through Antigua to OECS and wider Caribbean markets. He said such a shift would create new business for importers, exporters, and spin-off industries such as ship maintenance, bunkering, and warehousing.
The Prime Minister added that the government is exploring further improvements to port management, including corporatization and strengthening oversight, to ensure increased traffic translates into stronger revenues and reduced leakages.
While the company’s identity has not been disclosed, Browne said the interest signals confidence in Antigua and Barbuda’s direction and underscores the importance of continued infrastructure investment.
He told listeners that if the deal advances, it could reshape the country’s maritime economy and position the port as a significant regional logistics player for years to come.
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How is this going to benefit the people of Antigua and Barbuda?? And what way, shape or form.. while the cost of living is getting higher and the pay wage hasn’t increase… How is this beneficial to the people of Antigua and Barbuda?..
Is this what you gonna be running on campaigning .. a new way to enrich you and your government…
It will benefit the people/county via increased revenue collected, firstly I would imagine the bulk goes towards paying back/for the additional equipment then the increased revenue once it’s in the government’s purse can be allocated for whatever it seems fit. Which could then in turn either relax taxes paid by the average person or prevent them from being increased, because there is added revenue coming in to maintain the county’s affairs
That company is taking a massive risk. We maintain nothing in Antigua and Barbuda. When it bruk down, we will take up tax payers money and buy a new one. And there are no priorities. Mammogram Machine that can save lives bruk down and the hospital begging for donations. Meanwhile Makoul is being allowed to host Concert that will.cost a million and a half and lose a million. That is more important than the health of our girls and women.
So when the crane bruk down, what will the trans shippers do?
No one is disputing the interest that many companies have shown for Antigua in the past 15 years, this is just one such company that have invested in Antigua. The question is Browne Bwoy..where is all the damn revenue that has been collected from these companies over there years.
Where is the Money?
This Ponzi Scheme government has looted the peoples Treasury, and someone/s should pay for it..but we all know your corrupt cabinet will continue to turn a blind eye and will never call any investigation.
So like someone just inquired, would we see the benefits go into pockets of the citizens of Antigua?
We all know the answer, NO!
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