The Bahamas is getting a new cruise port? What we know so far about this remote island

Cruise lines are always looking for new destinations to serve passengers, and the latest news from the Bahamas could bring an entirely new port of call on future itineraries.

Bahamas government officially moves forward with remote island development project mayaguanathe country's easternmost island.

For a place that has been virtually untouched by major tourism for years, this latest news is likely to put the island on every cruise traveler's radar, even though cruise ships to the Turks and Caicos often pass by the 110-square-mile island.

Mayaguana is located approximately 66 miles west of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

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according to a Press release The development, known as the Port of Mayaguana, is a public-private partnership under the direction of the Office of the Prime Minister of The Bahamas.

The goal is to turn this siled island into a strategic crossroads.

The statement refers to the project as “A major maritime and logistics project designed to enhance economic activity in Mayaguana and the southeastern Bahamas.“

Because it sits on the edge of the archipelago, it's in an excellent location for both cargo ships and cruise ships.

Phased plan for the island

Since Mayaguana currently has very little infrastructure and only has about 300 residents, developers are taking a phased approach.

The government said the arrangement “Enabling Mayaguana to play a stronger role in regional trade, cruise activities and related services“.

They're not going to lose thousands of cruise ship tourists on day one. The plan is divided into three distinct phases to ensure the island can cope with growth:

• Phase One: Construction of a “temporary offshore unloading facility” and deep-water port.
• Phase 2: Construction of a dedicated cruise terminal.
• Phase Three: Expansion into a deep-water port and large ship terminal.

This timeline allows the island to upgrade its power, water and housing to support “Approximately 2,000 full-time jobs” The project team anticipated the entire life cycle of the project.

Why cruise lines are eyeing this region

For cruise lines, Mayaguana's location is its biggest selling point. Since it is the easternmost point of the Bahamas, many ships heading to the Southern Caribbean or the Panama Canal pass through here.

The Prime Minister's Office noted the island's location “The island is located at the crossroads between America and Europe.” This is good for both the cruise industry and the shipping industry.

Mayaguana also offers services not available at popular ports of call like Nassau. As larger ports become more crowded, docking on an island known for its remote, secluded beaches and pristine coral reefs allows cruise lines to offer passengers a unique experience.

But of course, in order for the new port to remain “off the beaten path,” it would also have to limit the number of visitors at any given time. This is a careful balance that every small cruise port must consider.

The project is now in the planning stages and includes “Economic and environmental assessments, stakeholder engagement, regulatory approvals and detailed design.“

If all goes according to plan, it'll be a few years before we see the first cruise ship dock at the new location, but the transformation of the Bahamas' most remote island has officially begun.