The causeway connects the existing road infrastructure with two new large roundabouts at the Airport Road near the end of the runway and at the Union Road near the border. Two protected sidewalks for pedestrians and a bicycle track is also part of the landmark. The traffic lanes is separated through a wide divider which can be used for emergency vehicles.
The causeway has been constructed on steel piles with a concrete deck. As traffic is expected to increase on Union Road, an upgrade of the Union Road infrastructure will take place as well.
After a period of considerable investment in new facilities and infrastructure, Port St. Maarten is reaping the benefits of a carefully-planned strategy as well as looking with confidence toward the future for new opportunity.
The key to St. Maarten’s successful commercial strategy is Port St. Maarten’s ability to work with its customers to consider their needs and to respond accordingly. Investment in the harbor has been shaped by the requests and suggestions of the shipping lines. Pier 2 was developed after partnering with two of Port St. Maarten’s major cruise ship customers.
INVESTMENTS IN PORT FACILITIES AND ELSEWHERE
2007-2012 saw incredible levels of investment in harbor facilities at St. Maarten:
• THE BUILDING OF PIER 2
• THE EXPANSION OF THE CARGO QUAY
• LAND RECLAMATION FOR A CRUISE VILLAGE
• ADDITIONAL CARGO STORAGE AREAS
• THE SETTING-UP OF A CRANE COMPANY
• A NEW INTER-ISLAND CARGO FACILITY
• TWO WINDJAMMER BERTHS FOR MEGA YACHTS
• AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW PORT SOFTWARE.
Widespread investment has also been made elsewhere on the island:
• CAMERA SECURITY SYSTEMS AT THE SIMPSON BAY LAGOON
• THE BEAUTIFICATION OF PHILIPSBURG
• THE 760-METER SIMPSON BAY LAGOON CAUSEWAY.
Being the port’s leading business sector, the cruise industry received the most attention concerning investment; the 2009 pier completion allows for the reception of the new Genesis-type cruise ships, the largest in operation. 445 m long and 21 m wide, the pier can accommodate two vessels at once.
2011 saw the initiation of the windjammer berths being used for giga yachts as well as for for refueling operations. The Captain David Cargo Quay was extended from 270 to 540 meters and a new breakwater at the southern end of the quay was installed. There are also ro-ro berths at both ends of the quay. An inter-Island cargo pier was completed in 2010 alongside 444 m2 of warehousing. Separate from container operations, it is hoped to encourage safer and more efficient operations by inter-island vessels. A final major investment was made in port management software. Full automation has enabled the port utmost efficiency, productivity and safety.
FUTURE PLANS
Future investment planned consists of further dredging, the repaving of cargo areas with concrete, the activation of a cement bagging facility, expansion of cruise water storage areas, installment of a helipad to serve giga-yachts, the erection of a new port authority control building, the evaluation of an LPG station, the building of an additional fueling berth on Pier 2 and the extension of the breakwater.
MARKET LEADER SHARES ITS KNOW-HOW
In the course of our successful development, growth and expansion, Port St. Maarten has acquired a broad, in-depth base of knowledge and operational expertise, both of which have been widely sought after by port competitors and other entities. In 2011 we established the St. Maarten Harbor Consultancy Company to generate revenue for the group by sharing this know-how. Our competitors have looked to us as a role model for operations at their own ports. We’ve decided to capitalize on our knowledge and expertise by “sharing the wealth”.