The BVI Ports Authority has been awarded the title of Caribbean Port of the Year by the Caribbean Shipping Association (CSA). Photo: Internet Source.

Mr Akeem R. Pickering, the Managing Director of the BVIPA said winning the 2025 Caribbean Port of the Year by the Caribbean Shipping Association (CSA) highlights the territory's ability to excel despite global challenges. Photo: Internet Source

The CSA awards ceremony for 2025 took place during its 55th Annual General Meeting, Conference, and Exhibition in Paramaribo, Suriname, from October 12 to 14. Approximately 400 delegates attended, representing countries from Suriname to Puerto Rico. Photo: Internet Source

Mr Akeem R. Pickering, the Managing Director of the BVIPA, shared with Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) that this award highlights the territory's ability to excel despite global challenges. 

The CSA awards ceremony for 2025 took place during its 55th Annual General Meeting, Conference, and Exhibition in Paramaribo, Suriname, from October 12 to 14, 2025. Approximately 400 delegates attended, representing countries from Suriname to Puerto Rico.

Award reflects VI's resilience

Pickering emphasised that this award reflects the resilience of the Virgin Islands, noting that even after the devastation of Hurricane Irma and the impact of COVID-19, the territory continues to experience growth year after year.

"If we're not growing, if we're not increasing, and if we're not striving, our numbers for 2024 would have not been bigger than our numbers in 2023 and if that was the case, then we would not have been able to show a percentage increase and if we couldn't show the percentage increase, we would not have won."

He also highlighted the growth in cargo importation to the Virgin Islands, stating, "It's important even as a little island, a little country inside of this Caribbean, to show that we are actually doing our thing."

Hope for continued growth

Expressing gratitude to the residents of the Virgin Islands, he said, "We consume what is imported. Thank you. If the consumption level was not high, what is imported would not be high. So, therefore, this is not just a port authority award."

Pickering concluded by expressing hope for continued growth and confidence among importers and residents of the Virgin Islands.

He emphasised the significance of this international recognition and encouraged residents to feel proud.

"We are hopeful that importers, we are hopeful that Virgin islanders, persons residing in the VI, can gain confidence in knowing that, we're not just a little dot and gain confidence in the economy to say, we'll continue to invest, we'll continue to purchase, we'll continue to grow and being that it's recognized internationally, we should be excited to be a part of such a recognition."