Charlotte Amalie Harbor Dredging Gets Funding Boost as St. Croix Cruise Traffic Set for Major Rise

The V.I. Port Authority has approved fee increases to help fund the long-awaited dredging of Charlotte Amalie Harbor, a important project aimed at enhancing the territory's ability to accommodate larger cruise ships. The decision comes as the authority prepares for a significant increase in cruise ship visits, with St. Croix set to experience the largest surge in traffic Last November, even as the V.I. Legislature approved the appropriation of $17 million for the essential dredging project, officials acknowledged that the costs would likely be more, leaving the Port Authority to figure out ways to fund the additional costs that would be needed. At least some of those extra funds will be generated by an increase of 44 cents per passenger in current wharfage fees for cruise ships coming into St. Thomas. Another fee increase – $3 in additional port dues per passenger – will provide additional revenue to the project. Tuesday's board action on port dues, according to the motion moved by C...