Maritime Enhancements to the Bahamas’ Largest Seaport for Cruise Vessels

The Nassau Cruise Port (NCP) is the Bahamas’ largest cruise port and lies in the heart of the capital’s tourist district. It encompasses more than 5,000 linear ft (1,524 m) of existing mooring structures divided into five berths. The port is currently undergoing a major enhancement and expansion to its marine infrastructure enabling the port to serve six cruise vessels simultaneously and to increase the overall tourist traffic to the island. The paper will describe the phased and focused approach implemented by the selected design-build team with the overall goal of setting an example for similar enhancement projects in busy ports. Recently, Global Ports Holdings, the world’s largest cruise terminal operator, won a long-term concession for improving and operating the port. Execution of the marine enhancements was commenced by the project team using a FIDIC Silver Book design-build contract. The team adopted customized solutions for each of the major areas of marine improvements with the goal to provide a 50-year design life. Marine works included the creation of two new marina areas, a mega-yacht berth and improvement of the existing cruise berths including repairs, replacement, expansion of the five existing berths and construction of a new sixth cruise berth. The enhancements involved dredging, repair of existing structures, and construction of a new 700-ft (213 m) long pile-supported pier extension with a mooring dolphin to the east. The new port will receive the latest generation of cruise vessels and accommodate mega yachts at a separate berth. The scope includes reclamation of approximately 4-acres (1.6 hectares), construction of a new tied-back quay wall to lengthen one existing berth, and construction of additional areas for onshore tourist activities. Two new small craft marina areas (one with a new pile-supported restaurant) were built to supplement tourist activities. The project included all facets of maritime works, including demolition, dredging, filling/reclamation, installation of driven piles, installation of cantilever and tied-back combi-wall bulkheads, installation of customized precast solutions, and in situ placement of heavily reinforced marine concrete. The design-build team’s innovative design solutions addressed the site’s challenging geotechnical conditions consisting of limestone of significant variability in both strength and depth. The innovative design approach and construction sequencing effectively overcame the challenge of compromised availability of labor and materials due to the pandemic. Construction of the marine enhancements will be completed in 2022.