Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda has firmly refuted claims that the government ever held full ownership of Blue Ocean Marine Limited. Addressing Parliament, Browne emphasized that the company has always operated as a public-private partnership, contrary to assertions made by Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle during a recent House of Representatives session. Pringle had questioned why the government’s shareholding appeared to drop from 100 percent to 75 percent within weeks. Browne clarified that the government initially held only 40 percent of the shares, with 51 percent owned by Meridian and 9 percent by Antiguan businessman Connolly Brown, who is unrelated to the Prime Minister. Browne also announced a US$2.5 million investment to increase the government’s stake to approximately 75 percent. This funding will be used to purchase specialized marine equipment, including a dredging barge and support vessel, enhancing the nation’s capacity for coastal and marine development. The Prime Minister further dismissed concerns about potential conflicts with marine rights at Barnacle Point, stating that all necessary environmental and statutory approvals were secured. He highlighted the government’s commitment to expanding the blue economy and ensuring local ownership of critical infrastructure assets, emphasizing the importance of self-sufficiency and economic empowerment.