NASSAU, BAHAMAS- The Government of The Bahamas has entered into a Public Private Partnership to advance the Port at Mayaguana, a major maritime and logistics development aimed at boosting economic activity on the island and across the South East Bahamas. The Office of the Prime Minister announced the arrangement on Tuesday, positioning the project as a strategic investment intended to strengthen trade, cruise activity, and related services in the region.
Mayaguana’s proximity to key international shipping lanes used by vessels transiting toward the Panama Canal and other major ports places the island at a strategic crossroads between the Americas and Europe. Government officials said the partnership is designed to leverage that location, allowing Mayaguana to play a more prominent role in regional shipping, logistics, and cruise operations.
Under the agreement, Global Lead Consultant Group Limited and its project team will work alongside the Government to develop the port and related infrastructure. The scope of the project includes marine and landside works, a transshipment and storage facility for containers and bulk cargo, excavation works, housing and support facilities, and upgrades to essential utilities. The project team has identified several private-sector partners, including 77 Construction UK, among those expected to be involved.
A key feature of the partnership is its ownership structure, which the Government said is intended to ensure direct local benefit. The project will be jointly owned by the Government of The Bahamas, the Mayaguana Island Development Fund, and Global Lead Consultant Group Limited. Operations will be managed by Mayaguana Port Group Ltd. The Mayaguana Island Development Fund component is designed specifically to benefit the island, with project partners indicating that the local community will be engaged on how those funds are ultimately used.
Development of the port is planned in phases, beginning with the construction of a temporary marine offloading facility and a deep-water port. Subsequent phases will include the development of a cruise ship terminal, followed by a deep-water transshipment port capable of accommodating larger vessels, along with adjacent land development and cargo-handling facilities.
Over the coming months, the project will move into detailed planning stages, including economic and environmental assessments, stakeholder consultations, regulatory approvals, and detailed engineering designs. Preliminary estimates from the project team suggest the development could generate approximately 2,000 full-time jobs over the life of the project.
The Government said it will continue to update the public as the project progresses through the required approval and consultation processes, with a stated focus on employment opportunities for Bahamians, adherence to strong regulatory standards, and clear, measurable benefits for the residents of Mayaguana.
