The long-planned relocation of Barbuda’s River Port has reached a critical milestone, moving past an initial key phase after coastal researchers finalized their foundational study, with multiple additional technical evaluations now in progress across the proposed site. The Antigua and Barbuda Port Authority, the government body overseeing the infrastructure development initiative, has confirmed the new facility is earmarked for a six-acre stretch of coastline along Barbuda’s southern shore, positioned just east of the existing River Dock Peninsula.
An in-depth coastal analysis carried out by Jamaica-based engineering consultancy Smith Warner International revealed that the proposed site naturally features deep water depths ranging between three and five meters. This natural geographic characteristic is a major win for the project, as it means large cargo vessels will be able to dock at the facility without requiring extensive, costly, and environmentally disruptive dredging work that would have been needed at the current port location.
Currently, a full feasibility study, which will evaluate the project’s financial viability, technical practicality, and long-term economic benefits, is on track to be finalized within a 14-day window. Parallel to this, geotechnical engineering teams are already on-site conducting surveys to map subsurface ground conditions, data that will be critical for designing stable infrastructure for the port. A comprehensive hydrological assessment, which will analyze how water flows and interacts with the proposed site, is also scheduled to kick off later this week.
The mandatory Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), a key regulatory step to identify and mitigate potential harm to local coastal ecosystems, is currently 70 percent complete. Port authorities note that the remaining sections of the EIA cannot be finalized until results from the ongoing geotechnical, hydrological, and feasibility surveys are delivered.
In a move to prioritize local stakeholder engagement, the Port Authority has committed to hosting a public town hall meeting directly on Barbuda before any construction work gets underway. The gathering will allow officials to present all collected survey data and project plans to local residents, business owners, and community leaders, and create space for the public to submit questions, concerns, and feedback that will be incorporated into final project planning.
Once geotechnical survey results are received, work on detailed architectural and engineering design of the new port will get underway. Current project timelines target mobilization of construction crews and equipment to the site between December 2026 and January 2027, marking the official start of build-out for the new facility.