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Royal Caribbean to partner with Global Ports Holding in Antigua

Antigua port
The new Oasis-class pier is indicated in red. Improvements to the current retail and food and beverage facilities, as well as new offerings, are planned RENDERING: Global Ports Holding
Global Ports Holding said it has agreed in principle to an equity partnership with Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. to develop Antigua and Barbuda's cruise facilities.

GPH (Antigua) Ltd. was recently awarded the exclusive 30-year concession for the cruise facilities at St John's, Falmouth Harbour and Barbuda.

RCL and GPH to invest in pier, landside upgrades

Under the partnership agreement with Royal Caribbean, GPH will operate and manage the cruise port facilities, with both parties investing in the completion of the new pier at St. John's to enable the port to handle Oasis-class ships. Both will also invest in a material upgrade of the current and new retail and food and beverage facilities at the port.

A Royal Caribbean spokesperson told Seatrade Cruise News the company has entered into separate, non-binding agreements with the government of Antigua and Barbuda and GPH and will continue working with them toward finalization of binding, long-term agreements.

Millions of guests over 10 years and beyond

'We are pleased we will bring millions of our guests to Antigua over the next 10 years and beyond and look forward to working with Antigua and Barbuda and Global Ports Holdings in completing the Antigua project,' said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International.

GPH said the full financial closure, including the final terms of the partnership agreement and commencement of the concession, is expected before the end of July.