Some cruise calls cancelled, tourism vendors affected

A port official said yesterday that the relevant authorities are working feverishly to address the cancellation of multiple P&O Cruises calls to Kingstown.

Reports are that cancellations relate to safety concerns at the Cruise Ship and Ferry terminal, specifically Ferry Fenders (or boat bumpers).

Ferry Fenders are critical marine safety components installed at terminals to absorb impact energy, protecting both vessels and dock structures during berthing. These heavy-duty rubber or barrel-shaped, shock-absorbing materials prevent damage during mooring, acting as a buffer between the ship and the wharf.

P&O Cruises is a British cruise line that operates large ocean cruise ships primarily serving the United Kingdom (UK) market. The cruises are significant in the Caribbean because P&O Cruises’ ships are among the largest visiting regional ports. They carry high passenger volumes and their customers often book organized shore excursions.

For smaller destinations like St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), a P&O call can represent a major portion of daily cruise revenue. Their ships are large, resort-style vessels carrying between 2,000 and 5,000 passengers. The fleet includes ships such as Britannia, Iona, Arvia, Ventura and Azura.

According to a source, the cancellations affecting Kingstown are over what have been described as “long-standing safety concerns” that were known by the Port Authority.

Click here to subscribe to read the full article in the E-paper!