During the week October 18^th to 22^nd, senior management officials of the British Virgin Islands Ports Authority embarked on a series of meetings with stakeholders, as part of an extensive public outreach programme planned for the last quarter of this year. 

The Ports’ team, comprising, among others, the Director of Finance, and the Director of Operations, met with industry stakeholders across several different sectors, including Ship Agents and Importers.

The outreach programme is designed to strengthen the partnership between the Ports and its stakeholders, share updates on the work of the Ports, ventilate issues, and overall, promote dialogue on the current and future plans and programmes of the Ports Authority in its goal to facilitate further economic growth in the British Virgin Islands.

Among the specific matters discussed were cargo efficiency, upgrading of port infrastructure and security.

For their part, the stakeholders generally expressed a commitment to work in partnership with the Ports to achieve the shared goal of economic revival and getting business back to capacity, safely and securely, during this ongoing pandemic.

The importance of the collaboration between the stakeholders and the BVIPA was also highlighted by Managing Director of the BVIPA, Mrs. Oleanvine Maynard, who stated “The stakeholders have been invaluable to the key accomplishments of the Ports over the past few months. I am heartened by their willingness to engage us; pushing us to improve on our operations in several different areas, because they know that our success is critical to their success. I am, therefore, encouraged by these sessions and I am committed to building on that collaboration going forward.” 

According to Director of Finance, Mr. Claude Kettle, who also participated in the meetings “it is important to touch base with our stakeholders often, because they are critical to the supply chain and economic engine of our Islands. Ours is a partnership that realizes significant outputs, which are helping to shape Port operations for greater efficiency and port development. As such, we look forward to strengthening that partnership so that we can effectively confront the various challenges of this period.”

This new outreach programme is a new initiative by the Ports Authority that will continue next year.

ABOUT THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS PORTS AUTHORITY

The BVI Ports Authority is the managing authority for all official Sea Ports within the British Virgin Islands inclusive of the 60ft wide, 1,312 ft. long cruise pier that can berth ships up to a maximum tonnage of 180,000 GRT. The BVIPA is responsible for the welcoming and safe arrival of seafaring passengers, as well as the reception, handling and security of cargo and sea based trade.

For more information, please visit www.bviports.org