An Upscale Passenger Seaport for St. Croix

The Gallows Bay Marine Facility is being transformed into a passenger and luxury vessel seaport.  Construction of a new dual-purpose Welcome Center has recently been completed.  The new building cost $1.5 million and was funded via bond financing.

VIPA will shift all existing cargo activity from this facility to the Gordon A. Finch Molasses Pier in Krause Lagoon, St. Croix.  The second phase of the project involves dredging the Schooner Bay Channel to accommodate mini-cruise vessels.  VIPA has submitted an application to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers seeking permission to dredge the channel.

A New Crown Bay District

The Virgin Island Port Authority hosted a presentation of the final draft of the Crown Bay District’s 20-Year Vision Plan on September 5, 2019.  The plan was developed by Moffat and Nichol for VIPA and was presented by Scott Lagueux (Director of Waterfront Planning), Mark Pirrello (Senior Waterfront Engineer) and their team at the public meeting held in the Crown Bay Center Cruise Lounge on St. Thomas.  It combines suggestions from our community offered at a charrette held November 15, 2018; residents, stakeholders, and cruise passenger surveys; feedback from cruise line officials; the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA); Crown Bay Center tenants and VIPA staff.  If you missed the live-stream of the presentation, you can watch it here and and download a copy of the Vision Plan.  Be sure to visit RenewCB.com for more information about the transformation of this historic seaport located on the western end of St. Thomas.

Download a copy of the
Crown Bay District Vision Plan

Improving Inter-Island Travel

VIPA's permit application to build a new U.S. Customs & Border Protection Facility at the Urman V. Fredericks Marine Terminal in Red Hook, St. Thomas was approved by the 33rd Legislature of the USVI. The application was forwarded to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for final approval. Once this facility comes online, it will augment the CBP services provided in the territory. It will also significantly reduce travel time between the British and U.S. Virgin Islands.  There are about 300,000 travelers between the USVI and the BVI annually.  The construction of this new Customs facility in Red Hook, St. Thomas will not affect CBP services provided in St. John. VIPA is currently building a new Customs building at the Victor Sewer Marine Facility ("The Creek"). CBP services will continue to be provided in Cruz Bay, St. John.

Rendering of the proposed UVF Marine Terminal
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Building
to be built in Red Hook, St. Thomas

A Royal Partnership
 

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line Limited officials, VIPA's Chairperson Ms. Leona Smith and Executive Director Mr. Carlton Dowe met in August to discuss upcoming developments in the U.S. Virgin Islands' cruise industry. RCCL and VIPA committed to a mutually beneficial 10-year berthing agreement in 2015.