News Release

16th April 1999

FHC announces US$10.6 M re-development project


16-Apr-1999

Freeport Harbour Company (FHC) has announced details of its $10.6 million re-development of its passenger handling facility at its cruise port located on Grand Bahama Island, just 65 miles Northeast of Miami.

Already a thriving cruise and ferry Port with under 1,000,000 passenger moves per annum, the new facilities will comprise of two new passenger terminals, with centralised check-in facilities, and a 20,000 sq. ft. landscaped retail village. Included within the retail village will be a traditional Bahamian straw market, and a more efficient transportation layout for buses and taxis.

Architectural and engineering consultants for the project is Miami based Bermello and Ajamil, who are one of the world’s leading companies specialising in this field.

Detailed construction documents are being prepared and tenders will be issued during August this year, with construction expected to commence shortly thereafter. The new development is due to become fully operational in May 1999.

A particular feature of the facility will be the ability for each of the two Terminals to handle one medium size Cruise Liner and one Ferry simultaneously, or for both terminals to be combined to handle a 3,000 passenger Homeported Cruise Vessel.

FHC also has provision to handle Cruise Vessels calling at its off-shore mooring buoys situated one mile off-shore at the nearby Port Lucaya.

FHC is North America’s emerging cruise and maritime centre. FHC is privately owned and operated in joint venture between Hutchison Port Holdings (HPH) and The Grand Bahama Development Company. HPH is the largest independent port operator in the world and handled over 13.1 million TEU’s in 1997. (ends)

4/16/99