Cruise control for RLB after US$60m Caribbean win

INTERNATIONAL property and construction consultants at Rider Levett Bucknall are ensuring it is all plain sailing on the construction of a new cruise liner terminal in the Caribbean.

The practice has been appointed by the Dutch and Danish contractors, Ballast Nedham and Pers Aarsleff, as cost managers on the US$60m development on the island of St Maarten.

The project, which has employed 240 local labourers and small contractors, has seen heavy equipment including the largest crane in the Caribbean, self-elevating platforms and steel pipes and piles, being shipped in from Europe.

The 445 meter long and 21 meter wide pier is scheduled for completion in April 2009 and will be ready for the world's first 220,000 tonne mega cruise ship that will set sail early next year.

The Bristol and Gran Cayman offices of Rider Levett Bucknall are providing cost management services.

St Maarten was one of the first Caribbean islands to attract tourists, and it has been a favourite of cruisers since the 1970s when liners first started sailing up the island's Great Bay.

Mark Williamson, Managing Partner at the Bristol office, says the number of cruise ships calling at the port at St Maarten is growing rapidly, and the construction of the new pier will increase the number of liners visiting it from four to six. In addition, the new facility will enable the world's biggest cruise ships to berth at the port.

He added: "This is a really exciting and interesting project for Rider Levett Bucknall to be engaged on as well as demonstrating how our UK and Caribbean offices work together in delivering project solutions."

The cruise liner terminal is the latest contract win for Rider Levett Bucknall which is building up an excellent reputation in the Caribbean after working on a range of developments, including luxury apartments in Barbados, Cuba and St Lucia.