First New Dock Nears Completion, Set To Revolutionize Grand Bahama Shipyard’s Capacity

Advanced Cranes and Control Systems at “East End” Dock will Transform the Shipyard, Boosting Local Economy and Employment Opportunities

FREEPORT, BAHAMAS – Grand Bahama Shipyard is pleased to report that the first of its new docks is nearing completion and on schedule for delivery to Grand Bahama by the first week of November.

The dock will mark an important stage in the transformation of the yard and its ability to accommodate all existing and currently planned cruise ships worldwide, as well as a broad range of other vessels.

This first dock named “East End” is 357 meters long, 76 meters wide and capable of lifting to 93,500 tons. It will be equipped with four state-of-the-art modern cranes and control systems. The second, larger dock, “Lucayan” is also progressing well and expected to arrive in 2026.

Work at the yard, which has included the extension of a pier, is well advanced and will be ready to receive the dock in November and subsequently go into operation in January 2026.

Dave Skentelbery, Shipyard CEO said, “We are close to reassuming our position as a leading, world-class cruise ship repair facility. The investment by our shareholders will be a significant boost to the economy of Grand Bahama, providing both direct and indirect employment opportunities. We have engaged another 20 apprentices this year and are already in the process of recruiting crane operators to train for the new docks.”

The $600 million transformation project includes the construction, delivery to Freeport and commissioning of two world-class floating docks, among the largest in the Western Hemisphere. This will allow the shipyard to have the largest lifting capacity in the world and service the entire range of cruise ships, as well as much of the world’s commercial shipping fleet.