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Portion of CDB loan to go towards new West End Ferry Terminal Project- VI Gov't

- Invitations for bids will be issued in September 2023
An artist’s impression of the new West End Ferry Terminal. The Government of the Virgin Islands (GOVI) has received financing from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) in an amount equivalent to US$65,291,000, some of which will go towards the construction of the West End Ferry Terminal. Photo: RDA/File
The ferry terminal at West End was the busiest seaport in the Virgin Islands prior to the 2017 hurricanes, as 40% of all arrivals into the Territory cleared in through West End. Photo: RDA/Facebook
The ferry terminal at West End was the busiest seaport in the Virgin Islands prior to the 2017 hurricanes, as 40% of all arrivals into the Territory cleared in through West End. Photo: RDA/Facebook
WEST END, Tortola, VI- The Government of the Virgin Islands (GOVI) has received financing from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) in an amount equivalent to US$65,291,000, and some will be allocated for the construction of the West End Ferry Terminal.

The Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) is the Executing Agency for the Project, and the Government of the Virgin Islands is responsible for the overall implementation of the project. 

According to a press release from Government Information Services (GIS) today, August 14, 2023, the RDA intends to prequalify contractors for the construction of the West End Ferry Terminal and it is expected that invitations for bids will be issued in September 2023.

Who are eligible to submit bids?

According to the press release, consideration will be limited to firms or joint ventures of firms that are legally incorporated or otherwise organised in, and have their principal place of business in an eligible country, and is either: more than 50% beneficially owned by a citizen or citizens and/or a bona fide resident or residents of an eligible country or countries, or by a body corporate or bodies corporate meeting these requirements; or owned or controlled by the government of an eligible country provided that it is legally and financially autonomous and operated under the commercial law of an eligible country and otherwise meets the eligibility requirements of the CDB Guidelines for Procurement (2006).

‘Classic Modern Design’ for new terminal

The RDA had on Wednesday, December 28, 2022, announced the winning design for the new West End Ferry Terminal. The Classic Modern Design was voted the winner by the Virgin Islands (VI) community.

The three designs presented for a vote by a poll, according to the RDA, were West Indies Design, Futuristic & Organic and Classic Modern.

The ferry terminal at West End was the busiest seaport in the Virgin Islands prior to the 2017 hurricanes, as 40% of all arrivals into the Territory cleared in through West End.

The destruction of the terminal has therefore affected travel between Tortola, Jost van Dyke and the USVI. It has impacted both residents and visitors, whether arriving by ferry, water taxi, private yacht or charter yacht.

25 Responses to “Portion of CDB loan to go towards new West End Ferry Terminal Project- VI Gov't”

  • Head Coach (14/08/2023, 13:47) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    This is a step in the right direction
  • qc (14/08/2023, 13:55) Like (13) Dislike (18) Reply
    Andrew must be given all the credit for this project you see why the uk boys are only born to keep us down.
    • @qc (14/08/2023, 15:28) Like (11) Dislike (15) Reply
      I agree. His good for the country far outweighs his bad but his desire to see the BVI control their own destiny aggrevated the colonial masters.
  • Hmmmm (14/08/2023, 13:59) Like (14) Dislike (4) Reply
    I am glad VIP made this a priority. It is definitely needed.
    • @hmmmm (14/08/2023, 15:35) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
      The same way many feel about the new buildings at the high school that allows our teachers and students to finally attend school in modern comfortable facilities rather than under tents and moldy over priced rented buildings at Pasea.
      • Just look (15/08/2023, 14:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        mold? thats where the magisrate court is heading to. more money for Mr. T
  • facts (14/08/2023, 14:07) Like (14) Dislike (4) Reply
    Like them or not you must give credit to the VIP Government for pushing this project & maximizing in an efficient & effective manner the other needed projects from the CDB funding including the Elmore Stoutt High School new buildings & many more on JVD, Anegada, Virgin Gorda & Tortola and did them mainly in the middle of the worse pandemic in the last 100 years. This is good leadership under the Premier. KUDOS!!!
  • Dream (14/08/2023, 14:15) Like (10) Dislike (17) Reply
    Never will be built.
  • Lb (14/08/2023, 14:22) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    Aha... yes, I see the problem, this tender is set up for outsiders to win it
    • @Lb (14/08/2023, 15:33) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
      It will be given to outsiders if our leaders do not fight for their people who are more than capable. You could have depended on the last Premier to champion such cause whether the winner of the bid was NDP, PVIM, or not, a major local contractor would have been one awarded the contract and done transparently through RDA guided by policies to put the people of the BVI first. The economy would benefit directly and indirectly. Let's see how this pans out.
  • Ho (14/08/2023, 14:42) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    Put the balance into the DUMP
  • wtf? (14/08/2023, 15:35) Like (13) Dislike (8) Reply
    The size if that building is ridiculous. Looks just as big as the airport building. Half the size and have more than 40 parking spaces. Just think about how much time has been spent and wasted on various consultants & designs seen to date.... is this not the 3rd one?
  • See (14/08/2023, 15:42) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    Just keep the corrupt Chinese out of the project .
    • @see (14/08/2023, 16:28) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      They and their behind the scenes UK partner are just the ones to keep your eyes on. It is all about the money and not the people.
  • Read between the lines (14/08/2023, 15:55) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    we need to look carefully at number a, b and c of the documents, before going any further to prequalify!!
    This tender qualifications still put most bvi contractors out of participation.
    • @Read between the lines (14/08/2023, 16:32) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      You are spot on. Let's hope our leaders champion the cause for their people who are more than capable to do projects of this size ontime and onbudget and to specifications and do not let the colonial masters control the strings from behind to eliminate the capable local contractors. Is we the people of the BVI have to pay back the loan so the economic effects of the money should be felt directly in the economy.
  • wtf? (14/08/2023, 18:07) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    Erm… the same ferry terminal that a donor offered to build for free after the hurricanes but Fahie refused unless he could ‘control the contractor payments’ … ???
    • @wtf? (14/08/2023, 22:42) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      Stop lying. The donor pulled out long before fahie took over so stop lying on the man saying he refused.
  • ??? (14/08/2023, 18:09) Like (10) Dislike (7) Reply
    Whyyyyy does West End need a building of that size? Its a building that needs to process people coming jn and out..ticket area...small f&b stand and thats it. That thing is way too big and a waste of money. Copy and paste the red hook terminal and you have a winner.
  • concerned citizen (14/08/2023, 19:28) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    While you are at, can we get a new police station in road town?because the present one is dilapidated, outdated, antiquated and mold infested, a modern police station is needed in the heart of the capital not that one they have looking like Pokwood Pond and Coxheath combined.
    • @concerned citizen (14/08/2023, 22:44) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      Let this project get done first so the needed extra revenue can be made by government so all the projects you speak about and others can then be done as the funding will be available.
  • Rubber Duck (14/08/2023, 21:16) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    A hideous carbuncle that looks like it should be in North Korea. There was no proper vote on the designs, all of which were poor. The cost is crazy and we all know its going to end up being more than the cruise ship terminal and pier park combined. Still all the politicians can order nice new holiday homes in the US so someone will benefit.

    Wake up BVI.
  • bumblebee (15/08/2023, 09:02) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why are we bickering, there is no money to build the terminal, the cdb loan that is spoken of is not a new set of monies is the same old loan that was approved after the hurricane. The building in westend only has about 11 million allocated to it and will need at least 25 million to comple it without any overruns. Our problem is Government does not have a priority list, we keep jumping from one project to another without completing anything for the most part, hence the sea defence in carrot bay. Started with a lot of gusto now falling by the wayside until the next hurricane. So tell me based on our past & current behaviour due you think that terminal will be finished in the next 15 years
  • Yes, yes (15/08/2023, 12:27) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    How about supplying our citizens with reliable water supply first. The west and terminal looks like it will be nice but who wants to work there just to get cancer and other deadly deceases from the malfunctioning incinerator blowing toxic chemicals right over the top of it. Government need to make a list of top priorities and the ferry terminal is way down on that list.
  • A Capitalist Who Loves the BVI (15/08/2023, 21:35) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yes, yes - spot on. This government loves things like this - the next bright shiny object that provides yet another opportunity for a ribbon-cutting, speeches, self-congratulatory press interviews, etc., not to mention the power that comes from doling out money and jobs.


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