Anguilla Air and Sea Ports Authority

ANGUILLA AIR & SEA PORTS AUTHORITY

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ANGUILLA AIR & SEA PORTS AUTHORITY

I PROFILE

As one of the smallest Caribbean islands, Anguilla is not shy of thinking big.

Having opened a new ferry port, the Anguilla Air and Sea Ports Authority is overseeing a game changing overhaul of its airport, and plans to reshape commercial cargo operations. Chairman Andrew Niles sat down with Andy Probert to review the projects which are pivotal to the nation’s prosperity.

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xcitement is certainly tangible, and expectations are growing across the 15,000 strong population of Anguilla,

an island less than 16 miles long and 3.5 miles wide. The reason: a monumental overhaul of its air and sea ports.

With no actual export trade, the community’s economy, tourism, commercial and social life are indelibly tied to its ports: Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport, Blowing Point Ferry Terminal, Road Bay Cargo Port, and Corito Port.

In 2009, the Government of Anguilla handed management of the air and sea ports to the newly created Anguilla Air and Sea Ports Authority (AASPA). As an independent statutory body, AASPA’s mandate is to oversee, manage, maintain, and upgrade the ports properly and profitably.

Arrivals to the beautiful beaches and azure waters of the British Overseas Territory are continuing to surmount the Covid impact.

In 2019, 363,708 passengers arrived by sea and air to this northerly tip of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles, just east of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

“Into 2024 and beyond, the future of AASPA and Anguilla will shine very bright,” said AASPA Chairman Andrew Niles: That positive attitude is well placed.

Ferry port opening Mr. Niles said passenger numbers through Blowing Point Ferry Terminal have exhibited remarkable growth since 20,000 arrived in 2021. In contrast, this figure surged to over 90,000 in 2022. As of August 2023, statistics

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ANGUILLA AIR & SEA PORTS AUTHORITY

I PROFILE

Dutch sides of the neighbouring island of St. Maarten and other islands.

The government set in train a $10 million project to replace the terminal, along with improved landscaping, car parking, and ancillary services. The new 18,000 sqft state of the art facility, inaugurated in 2023, is equipped with air conditioning, indicate arrivals have exceeded 100,000,

dedicated concessions areas, VIP

with a promising winter season anticipated.

accommodation, and comprehensive

The terminal has effectively risen from

WiFi coverage. It is also introducing an

the ashes after Hurricane Irma battered the

electronic manifesting initiative.

island in 2017. Blowing Point was effectively

“The development represents a substan-

destroyed, forcing ASPAA to use temporary

tial enhancement compared to the previous

accommodation. It also acts as a crucial

facility,” Mr. Niles said. “Given its role as the

passenger port connecting the French and

primary entry point for most of our guests,

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we placed paramount importance on

and UK governments, will oversee the

leaving a lasting and positive first impres-

initiative, which includes the construction

sion. The facility also embodies the essence

of a new terminal and extension of the

of the premium vacation experience that

existing runway.

Anguilla is renowned for offering.”

Part of the funding, around $15 million,

Passengers are usually day trippers or

will come from the UK government, but

long stay visitors. Arrivals in 2019 repre-

the Anguilla government’s reserve funds

sented the fifth best year since 1990.

will pay for the remainder. Construction

Hopes are also high it will surpass the

of the terminal is slated to commence in

33,147 vessel movements witnessed in

January 2024.

2019 between Anguilla and the French and Dutch sides of St. Maarten.

Meanwhile, Anguilla’s Clayton J. Lloyd

“This cutting edge terminal will serve as a beacon of modernity and efficiency,” Mr. Niles explained, “designed to enhance

International Airport is undergoing an

the overall airport experience for travellers

era – defining $130 million transformation.

and stakeholders alike.”

AASPA, in collaboration with the Anguillan

The runway extension, scheduled for early 2025, will accommodate larger aircraft and bolster the airport’s capacity, positioning it to handle increased passenger traffic and facilitate the growth of Anguilla’s aviation sector.

The airport saw 57,718 passenger movements and 15,979 aircraft movements in 2019, with most arriving from the U.S., U.K. and Europe. Its master plan’s 20 year forecast estimates that, through to 2041, the island can expect an annual increase of 11.5% in passengers arriving by air.

More developments Road Bay Port, which acts as Anguilla’s primary cargo port dealing specifically with incoming cargo from neighbouring islands as well as to and from Puerto Rico has also benefitted from major investment.

A new 600ft jetty was completed in December 2021 and funded by the UK government’s Conflict, Stability, and Security Fund. It was built 230 feet south

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ANGUILLA AIR & SEA PORTS AUTHORITY

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of the soon to be decommissioned 1971

regulatory requirements. Acknowledging

original pier. The new jetty extends 50

specific infrastructure challenges inherent

feet longer than its predecessor, enabling

to this facility, AASPA has formulated a

multiple berthing platforms for different

comprehensive plan to address these

vessel uses.

issues within the next 12 months.

AASPA is now in the initial phases of

This comprehensive plan underscores

formulating a comprehensive Master

AASPA’s proactive stance in rectifying

Plan for the Road Bay. It will encompass

infrastructure issues to enhance the

the new jetty with provision for new

operational efficiency, safety, and

warehousing, office spaces, and

overall effectiveness of Corito Bay.

security infrastructure.

“We aim to establish a sustainable

Changing times

development blueprint that identifies

Like countless enterprises operating

opportunities and constraints, plus

within the Caribbean, AASPA confronted

identifying a comprehensive and coor-

the formidable challenges of Hurricane

dinated approach to Road Bay’s future,”

Irma and the global Covid pandemic.

Mr. Niles said.

Corito Bay serves as the sole port for bulk

“These twin crises exerted a significant and lasting impact on AASPA’s revenue

fuel imports for Anguilla, and there have

streams, highlighting the organization’s

been long held hopes to establish new

resilience and adaptability in the face

cargo facilities with a deepwater harbour.

of adversity,” Mr. Niles continued. “While

AASPA has been actively engaged in col-

AASPA is steadily regaining its financial sta-

laborative efforts with stakeholders at

bility, its capacity to pursue critical capital

Corito Bay to ensure strict adherence to

development initiatives remains. This unwa-

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vering commitment to financial recovery

prudent steps taken today will pave the

provides a renewed impetus to redirect our

way for a more sustainable and environ-

focus toward the strategic advancement

mentally responsible future.

of our port infrastructure and staff.”

From 2024, AASPA will proactively explore

“AASPA’s pursuit of sustainable energy solutions for our ports of entry and the

avenues to mitigate its dependence on

government’s commitment to advancing

fossil fuels for energy consumption,

renewable energy mark significant strides

according to Mr. Niles: “Our primary focus

toward a greener and more sustainable

centers on sustainable energy solutions

future for Anguilla.

for our ports of entry, with a deliberate

“Our collective efforts also demonstrate

intent to curtail and ultimately reduce

a commitment to advancing the port

our carbon footprint.

infrastructure, which is vital to the region’s

“While this objective may extend

future prosperity,” he concluded. “For

beyond the immediate horizon, our com-

example, our airport redevelopment

mitment to initiating progressive actions

signifies a pivotal step toward elevating

cannot be overstated. The imperative

Anguilla’s connectivity and accessibility

is underscored by the recognition that

on the global stage.”

n