Since 1976, the Port Authority of the Cayman Islands has managed Cayman Port, located in George Town, Grand Cayman. Dealing with cruise and cargo vessels, the Port Authority is responsible for ensuring the people of Cayman have all their import needs met. Port Director Paul Hurlston discussed the latest news, in a report by Imogen Ward.
According to Port Director Paul Hurlston, the Port Authority of the Cayman Islands is crucial for ensuring everyone on the Cayman Islands is fed. “Everything that is consumed here has to be imported; we produce little or nothing on the Islands in terms of consumer goods. So, 96 per cent of all imports come via the sea. We basically handle everything that is imported into Cayman.” Cayman Port became a statutory part of the government in 1976: ever since then it has continued to exemplify why these islands in the Western Caribbean zone are such a popular destination for cruise lines and cargo imports.
Crucial cargo capabilities
With most of Cayman’s goods being imported through Cayman Port, cargo is an incredibly important element of its operations. In 2022 alone, 800,000 tonnes of cargo were imported through Cayman Port.
“Our biggest partners are the people of Cayman,” Mr Hurlston said. “We don’t just handle the containers, we also handle the cargo out of those containers,
and we distribute it to the population. So, they are the port’s biggest customers. Despite this, it is very difficult for us to have a direct impact on the number of imports that come in – it is based on the economy. However, we do project at least a five per cent growth in the next five years.”
The docking space at the Islands is fully utilised for all operations. Due to a limitation on space, the Port Authority has a long-standing rota in place to balance port activities. From 6am-6pm, the port is dedicated to cruise lines and tourist activities, with the night shift afforded to cargo operations. This system has worked well over the last 18 years; the Port Authority is now however, considering moving the cargo facilities from George Town to further inland.
“We are looking at enhancing our cargo facilities, by moving them further inland and building a new port,” Mr Hurlston explained. “This is in the early stages of development, but we are heading in the right direction.
“It is a long-term project that will be completed in phases. Currently, we are implementing a unique system that enables us to handle both cruises and cargo vessels in the same space. However, this does limit both enterprises to a 12-hour time slot, and there is no room for expansion there – we can’t extend the day or the night. That’s why we are looking at moving the cargo facilities, because having double the time would really expand our capabilities.”
Harboured in Cayman
The Cayman Islands are an incredibly popular tourist destination in the Caribbean, and the cruise industry has been a great benefit for the Islands’ economy, raking in between $6 and $8 million annually, depending on passenger flow (on average 1.5 million tourists come through Cayman Port every year).
“We don’t have berthing facilities for cruise ships, so we use small tender vessels to load and offload passengers,”
Mr Hurlston explained. “Even with that limitation, we have managed to maintain our position as a top ten destination in the Caribbean.”
The Cayman Islands are home to an impressive network of coral reefs; this is just one of the Islands’ features that have made it a tourist hotspot. These reefs are delicate infrastructures that can be affected by many external factors, from climate change to ship grounding, which is why the Port Authority is working hard to ensure these precious reefs are preserved.
“We work alongside other government departments to ensure that the marine environment is protected at the highest possible level,” Mr Hurlston explained. “We want to ensure that it is there for future generations to enjoy. We are very careful with ship anchoring and only allow vessels to anchor in certain areas, to prevent them from damaging the reefs. We have a huge diving industry here and our coral is pristine, we wouldn’t want to play a part in affecting that, so we take all potential risks extremely seriously.”
Over the years the Port Authority has made several tourist-targeted upgrades to the port and the surrounding area. In 1988, the company upgraded the landing dock dedicated to cruise passengers, adding visual appeal and improving customs security. Further to this, in 1990 the company commissioned a brand-new building dedicated to customs offices. Now, the Port Authority is in discussion with several cruise lines to find new areas for potential improvement.
“We continue to look at ways to upgrade our on-land facilities,” Mr Hurlston. “Although it is very early days, we are working with several cruise lines to identify areas where we can improve the fiscal aspect of our terminals. Currently, we are looking at passenger flow, and how to expedite passengers on and off ships. We would like to have solutions put in place ready for the start of the winter season in October.”
A team effort
The Port Authority also has a fleet of two harbour patrol vessels, which are vital for a safe and enjoyable cruising experience. As part of the Islands’ international secu rity arrangements, these vessels are mandatory. “Whenever we have cruise ships in, we have to have our vessels on patrol as a safety precaution,” Mr Hurlston explained. “These vessels are also used for search and rescue. We are surrounded by water, and there are a lot of water activities in the harbour area. Unfortunately, people do get in trouble,
and we are one of the closest points of contact to go and assist them. We do that on a regular basis.”
The authority also takes care of the Islands’ marine navigation aids, and regularly checks the buoys to decide if any maintenance is required. The harbour patrol vessels are used to complete these inspections.
With so many important jobs relying on these boats, the Port Authority must ensure they are in good condition. In the next few years, the company plans to upgrade its vessels and is currently assessing the practicality of hybrid engines. On top of this, it is also considering a small fleet expansion soon.
For those that work at the Port Authority of the Cayman Islands, it is more than just a job. Every employee is given the opportunity to make a difference and help protect the local environment. Their passion for the job is also encouraged through professional development and continuous training across all areas.
“I love ships: I have always loved ships,” Mr Hurlston concluded. “But the reason why I love my job so much, is probably the people that work here. We have a staff of 70, and I really enjoy seeing them grow and fully realise their potential. On top of that, our customers’ satisfaction is a number one. It thrills me to know that they’re satisfied with us and that we have helped them. Those factors are what excite and inspire me.” n
