The Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA), says no permission has been given to Caribbean Travel Movement to berth in Saint Lucia as part of a ferry service between the two islands.

The company on Thursday, December 29, 2022 announced a weekly ferry service between St Vincent and Saint Lucia beginning in January, 2023.

However, according to SLASPA who is responsible for managing the island’s two principal seaports; Castries and Vieux Fort as well as the airports, no permission has been given to a Vincentian company to berth in Saint Lucia as part of a ferry service between the two islands.

“We have no knowledge of this; as far as we know the company made inquiries regarding logistics etc but there was no confirmation or agreement so this is news to us,” a senior SLASPA offical told Loop News.

Caribbean Travel Movement says the affordable service will begin in the second week in January and is extremely important as it will provide a much-needed transportation link between the two islands.

Initially, the company said the boat, Bequia Express, would provide the service between Kingstown and Castries.

However, on Friday Caribbean Travel Movement then issued another statement offering a ‘clarification’ saying that it has been ‘in discussion with Bequia Express and a few other service providers for the chartered service early next year’.

This statement followed a request by Bequia Express dis-associating itself from Caribbean Travel Movement. (Loop)