HAMILTON, Bermuda – Bermuda’s Premier Dr. Ewart Brown declared Dockyard “alive with activity” today as he officially opened the new Heritage Wharf cruise port facility.
Premier Brown, who is also Minister of Tourism and Transport, told an audience of about 150 spectators that the creation of Heritage Wharf is consistent with the Platinum Period standard of Bermuda Tourism. He said: “For many years Dockyard was considered the port of last resort in Bermuda, but it is now a premier destination and port facility. Heritage Wharf and the revitalization of Dockyard is another proof positive result of the Platinum Period in Tourism. All over the country, our Tourism product is newer, fresher and providing exciting commerce opportunities for Bermudians.”
After cutting the ribbon on the new port facility, the Premier visited the new Visitor Information Centre and participated in the official opening of the new Dockyard Phoenix Store.
“Everywhere we went Dockyard was alive with activity,” the Premier said. “Tables at the restaurant were full, there were people in line at the Phoenix Store and the Visitor Information Centre was packed with visitors – even the segway operator came over and said ‘thanks for building the wharf’. We’ve done our part and now the entrepreneurial spirit is taking over.”
Minister of Works and Engineering Derrick Burgess presented (WECDO) Chairman Walter Lister with a plaque to symbolize Government handing over operation of the facility to the West End Development Corporation.
Minister Burgess said: “These important new additions to the west end of our Island symbolize progress – real progress – made in the area of tourism, still a vitally important component of Bermuda’s economy. They reflect the Government’s commitment to do all that is required to enhance Bermuda’s reputation as a destination of choice.
“The Premier is to be congratulated and thanked for making this new Heritage Wharf and cruise ship terminal a reality. He kept the end in view and ensured Bermuda will retain its place as a ‘must stop’ destination in the rapidly evolving cruise ship industry.”
Premier Dr. Ewart Brown cuts the ribbon on the new cruise port facility at Heritage Wharf, Dockyard. Looking on are (left) Permanent Secretary Robert Horton and Minster Derrick Burgess of Works & Engineering and (right) Chairman Walter Lister and Andrew Dias of WEDCO.
Photo courtesy of DCI photographer Leslie Todd.
Along with overseeing construction of the wharf, Works and Engineering widened Pender Road and Cockburn Bridge, developed a new bus terminal in Dockyard and constructed a new Visitor Information Centre. The Minster publicly thanked the structures and highways crews that worked on the project.
From start to finish it was a $60 million public works project.
Bermuda’s three-port cruise travel industry is expected to generate about $70 million in revenue for the private and public sectors in 2009.
Today’s opening ceremony took place on Heritage Wharf with the 960-foot Norwegian Dawn as a backdrop. Later in the day, Royal Caribbean’s 960-foot Jewel of the Seas was scheduled to arrive.
The Dawn carried about 2,300 passengers to Bermuda and the Jewel of the Seas had about 2,100 passengers. Both ships are too large to berth in either of Bermuda’s other two cruise port facilities. Heritage Wharf also has the ability to dock two large cruise ships simultaneously.
In 2006, in consultation with the Corporations of St. George’s and Hamilton and members of the public, the Government decided to build a mega cruise ship port facility at Dockyard to spare Town Cut and Two Rocks Passage of the environmental damage that would result from widening those ship passing lanes. A wider passing lane would be required to handle ships larger that 700-feet. Ships under 700-feet, particularly new ships, have become rare as the industry moves toward larger ships as the industry norm.
