LISTEN: Antigua negotiating deal to transship thousands of Japanese cars through expanded port

Browne Says Antigua in Talks to Transship Thousands of Vehicles as Port Expansion Plans Advance

Prime Minister and Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party leader Gaston Browne says the government is in discussions with a Japanese car dealership to use Antigua and Barbuda as a transshipment point for thousands of vehicles, as part of a wider plan to expand the country’s port and transform it into a regional trade hub.

“We’re discussing with a particular car dealership out of Japan the possibility of transshipping their vehicles here, but we need more space so we can store a few thousand vehicles,” Browne said on Pointe FM’s Browne and Browne Show.

The proposed arrangement forms part of a broader multi-phase expansion of the St. John’s port, which Browne said is still in its early stages.

“That is just the first phase. We have several phases for development of our port,” he said, noting that the current facility represents only the initial stage of a larger transformation.

Browne outlined plans to significantly increase storage capacity, including the controversial proposal to cut down Rat Island to create additional land space for cargo and logistics operations.

“We’re cutting down Rat Island to create more land space so we can provide more storage,” he said.

The expansion will also include the construction of new marinas aimed at boosting the yachting sector and increasing berthing capacity.

“There’s going to be a couple of marinas within that space between Fort James and Judge Bay… and on the eastern side of Fort James,” Browne said.

Beyond vehicle transshipment, the government is also pursuing agreements to position Antigua and Barbuda as a broader regional shipping hub.

“We have a deal that we’re pursuing with a particular shipping agency about making Antigua and Barbuda a transshipment hub,” Browne said, adding that the move would create new opportunities for local businesses.

“That will open up a new gateway for our business people, and we’ll be able to get goods from South America, from Europe… even at a cheaper price,” he said.

Plans for the port also include the installation of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and fuel storage facilities to support bunkering operations for vessels, creating an additional revenue stream.

“We’ll have LNG tanks there… and fuel tanks so that the boats can get bunkered here. That will be a new profit centre for the port and WIOC,” Browne said.

The expanded port will be designed to accommodate cargo ships on both sides of the harbour, a shift Browne said is necessary to handle increased shipping activity linked to transshipment operations.

“We’ll be able to accommodate even more cargo ships on both sides… because with the increase in transshipment, you need more berthing space,” he said.

Browne said the combined developments could significantly increase the economic contribution of the port.

“That in itself will increase the contribution of the port maybe up to about… 10% of GDP,” he said, describing the project as part of a broader push to expand revenue streams and strengthen the economy.

He characterized the initiative as part of what he called “an exciting period” for Antigua and Barbuda, as the government seeks to position the country as a key player in regional logistics and trade.

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