![]() “We are also preparing to revisit the idea of additional berthing in some fashion, and we can always do infrastructure work to bring in more cruise ships and remain competitive with other Caribbean destinations.” “This is to ensure that the biggest ships that are currently being manufactured can safely manoeuvre our harbour and berth at our pier,” he says. With ships only likely to get bigger, Graham says that the West Indian Company is working with the government of the US Virgin Islands and the US Virgin Islands Port Authority to carry out other building work, and dredge the harbour basin. Our infrastructure is now up to date to take advantage of that.” “We strengthened the bulkhead and put in new bollards, so we can now take the largest ships that are being manufactured. “We recently finished doing a major enhancement to our berthing,” Graham says. Much of the recent work has therefore focused on hosting the biggest ships in the market at St Thomas. To ensure that as many visitors as possible can take advantage of such offerings, it is important that WICO expand its capacity. They can also purchase five cartons of duty free cigarettes and five litres of rum upon arrival! “We’re looking at enhancing the amenities that passengers want.”ĭid you know that US citizens visiting the area get a US$1,600 tax-free exemption? This is double the allowance than for other Caribbean destinations. “We’re trying to give passengers a great experience as soon as they come off the ship and provide more lively activities on our property,” Graham explains. This includes a major upgrade to the pier and berthing facilities, while renovation work has also been carried out at the Havensight Mall. Anything we can do to enhance overall landscape of the visitor experience in the US Virgin Islands, be it shore excursions or related to transportation, is something we will support.”Īs part of these efforts, a series of renovations have recently taken place at the WICO Dock. “But even though I work for the West Indian Company, I don’t feel like the boundaries of what I do should end at the West Indian Company. “I want to really make sure that the passenger experience here in the US Virgin Islands is as good as it can be,” he says. Graham is very clear as to what his main goals are in his new role. The West Indian Company owns and operates Havensight Dock in the natural harbour of St Thomas and manages the adjacent Havensight Mall. It’s something Clifford Graham, a native of St Thomas in the United States Virgin Islands and the recently appointed CEO and president of the West Indian Company (WICO), is delighted to take on. Being tasked with operating the marquee port on your home island is naturally a great honour.
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