Antigua Slipway, a key player in the Caribbean’s maritime infrastructure sector, has officially initiated the second phase of its transformative marine railway redevelopment initiative, marking a major milestone in the island nation’s effort to boost its blue economy and shipping capabilities.
The project, which first broke ground in 2022, targets a complete overhaul of the aging marine railway that has served Antigua’s commercial shipping, yacht maintenance, and fishing industries for more than six decades. The first phase, completed in late 2023, delivered critical upgrades to the railway’s foundation and power systems, clearing the way for the more complex work now underway.
In this second stage of development, crews will focus on installing a higher-capacity winching system, expanding the railway’s loading capacity to accommodate vessels up to 1,200 tons – a 50% increase from the facility’s previous limit. Additional upgrades include resurfacing the 300-meter slipway track, adding modern hydraulic stabilization systems, and constructing a new on-site maintenance workshop for railway equipment. Project leaders expect the work to take approximately 12 months to complete, weather permitting.
Local economic officials have highlighted the redevelopment’s far-reaching benefits for Antigua and Barbuda. Once fully operational, the upgraded facility is projected to cut vessel turnaround times by nearly 40%, attracting more international yachting clients and commercial shipping operators that currently seek maintenance services in other regional hubs. It is also estimated to create more than 80 new full-time construction jobs during the second phase, with 35 permanent positions added once the project is fully completed.
Environmental sustainability is also a core focus of the expansion. Project designers have incorporated erosion control measures along the waterfront, implemented a stormwater management system to reduce runoff pollution into the Caribbean Sea, and sourced 30% of construction materials from local suppliers to cut the project’s carbon footprint.
Industry analysts note that the upgrade positions Antigua Slipway as a leading maritime service center in the Eastern Caribbean, supporting the country’s growing tourism and logistics sectors while reinforcing its position as a key stopover for transatlantic and regional shipping routes.