improved reliability in goods movement.This recovery positions the BVI favorably within a Caribbean region where port handling charges remain two to three times higher than similar facilities globally. “Things have gotten a lot better since COVID. We have seen major disruptions in our supply chain, but since COVID we have seen things have gotten much better. Our supplies are coming in on time, on schedule,” Fahie reports. “We have also seen an increase in high demand for goods to be brought into the territory. And as of now we have not seen too much of a delay; there are actually rarely any delays in stuff coming in.” The authority has implemented digital solutions to streamline cargo collection processes, addressing inefficiencies that beset many Caribbean ports. “We are trying to ensure that on the goods that are entering into the territory, people can get them as quickly as possible,” Fahie explains.“We are looking at a number of areas in terms of software that persons can pay online, that they can log into our system to make sure that their goods are ready to be collected, or we will send them a notice saying your goods are ready to be collected, so they can come and collect, pay online, and the process at our facility will be seamless and much more quicker and efficient.” “We are also always ensuring that our navigation aids are working. If they do need to be repaired, we take them out, put down something temporarily, but we always make sure that there is always some marker or aid there that ships can move in and out of our waters without any problems,” he adds. While the authority explores technological solutions for navigation enhancement, Fahie acknowledges they “haven’t found any solutions as yet” but remain “always open to anyone who’s willing to offer something that we can look at.” INFRASTRUCTURE, INVESTMENT, AND TOURISM The BVI Ports Authority functions as a critical economic enabler for a territory where tourism and financial services generate the bulk of government revenues. With the BVI achieving over one million visitors in 2024, including 768,293 cruise passengers, 43 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN VOLUME 12, ISSUE 09 BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS PORTS AUTHORITY
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