KINGSTOWN, ST. Vincent, Nov 13, CMC – The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Port Authority (SVGPA) has confirmed that a cargo vessel that was damaged while attempting to dock at the Kingstown Cruise Terminal (KCT) on Sunday, has left the terminal.
The accident led to a cruise liner, which was due to make its only call for the 2024 cruise ship season, being forced to sail away on Sunday with the SVGPA noting then that the cargo carrier despite being temporarily disabled was able to discharge its cargo of vehicles despite the damage to its hull.
“The position of the breach on the vessel, just above the water line presents many operational challenges and as well, requires the professional assessment of the damage before it can be safely moved from its present location,” it added.
In its latest statement, the SVGPA said the cargo vessel, the “Splendid Ace” sailed out on Tuesday after the repairs were carried out to an acceptable standard under the guidance of an “NK class surveyor” who arrived in St. Vincent on Monday, the statement said, adding “the departure of the vessel Splendid Ace reflects the SVGPA’s commitment to operational resilience and its capacity to respond effectively to unexpected challenges, thereby contributing to efficiency and effectiveness in the trade and transport sector across the region.
“The SVGPA extends its empathy and appreciation to all stakeholders affected by this incident. We also take this opportunity to thank all stakeholders and the broader community for their patience and cooperation while we worked to resolve this issue. We look forward to continuing our role as a trusted Port for secure and reliable logistical and maritime services,” it added.
The incident resulted in the cruise ship Aurora, which has a capacity of 2,258 passengers, cancelling its scheduled call to KCT on Sunday.
On Sunday, the Port Authority said that use of KCT to berth cargo ships became necessary because of serious damage to the main Kingstown cargo pier caused by Hurricane Beryl.
The cyclone impacted SVG on July 1 as a category 4 hurricane that smashed several records, including the speed at which it developed.
A new cargo port that is being built in the city is slated to be completed by the middle of 2025.
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