Havana cruise port to triple capacity
Cuba is betting big on cruise traffic to drive its tourism industry with new plans to significantly expand Havana port.
A major development will see the current two cruise berths expand to six by 2024, along with additional tourism infrastructure works.
In addition, Global Ports Holding will manage all cruise port operations in Havana on behalf of Cuban firm Aries Transport.
Global Ports has signed a contract to manage the facility for 15 years beginning from June 21, 2018.
"I am very happy that we have signed an agreement for Havana Cruise Port, the first step in the group’s growth strategy for the Americas," said Mehmet Kutman, chairman and co-founder of Global Ports Holding.
"We very much look forward to working with our Cuban partners to deliver a fantastic cruise port experience."
More than 500,000 cruise passengers are expected to dock at the two current berths in 2018 and that will significantly increase in the coming years.
Global Ports will also handle the marketing and drive growth at the new facilities as they come online.
A portion of its management fee will be based on cruise passenger growth over several years.
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