A New Era for TCI Maritime Commerce: Historic Dual-Berthing Milestone Achieved at South Dock, Providenciales

Today marks a defining milestone for the Ports Authority of the Turks and Caicos Islands. For the first time in history, South Dock successfully facilitated the simultaneous berthing of two distinct vessel classes at the same pier: the container vessel MV Pelagic Express and the barge Marina Caribe.

An aerial view of South Dock in Providenciales

Representatives from the Ports Authority, Provo Stevedoring Ltd (PSL), Island Site Development (ISD), King Ocean, and BML Shipping were on hand to witness this landmark integration at the newly constructed facility.

Breaking Historical Constraints

Prior to today’s achievement, infrastructure limitations mandated a "one-at-a-time" protocol, where only a single vessel—either a barge or a container ship—could occupy same the dock. This operational bottleneck often resulted in significant delays for incoming cargo.

The successful dual-berthing signifies a transformative shift in operational capacity. With the ability to service multiple vessel categories simultaneously, the Ports Authority has officially transitioned all shipping operations to the new facility, effectively eliminating the primary constraint that has challenged TCI shipping for decades.

Seamless Transition & Strategic Development

As history was being made at the new dock, the MV Tropic Freedom completed its final discharge at the legacy pier. This final operation signaled the formal closure of the old dock, clearing the way for the next phase of the South Dock Modernization Project: the construction of an additional new dock scheduled for completion throughout the remainder of 2026.

Some members of the Management and Staff of the Turks and Caicos Islands Ports Authority

The Road to Modernization

This transition is the culmination of a rigorous, multi-agency planning phase initiated in January 2026. In collaboration with Provo Stevedoring Ltd and Island Site Development, the Ports Authority achieved several critical safety and infrastructure milestones:

• Dredging & Depth Verification: Final dredging and cleanup of the turning basin and berthing pockets was completed, with bathymetric surveys confirming a consistent Mean Low Water (MLW) depth of -14 feet.

• Infrastructure & Safety: New maritime aids to navigation were installed, tug assistance was secured for precision berthing, and a comprehensive Transitional Safety Plan was published to guide operations. 

• Stakeholder Engagement: Continuous Public Service Announcements (PSAs) ensured that shipping lines and local stakeholders remained informed and aligned throughout the transition.

Securing the National Supply Chain

The activation of the new dock ensures that the Turks and Caicos Islands can maintain a safe, efficient, and robust supply chain even as expansion construction continues. The Ports Authority remains committed to monitoring vessel wait times and overall port efficiency, providing transparent reporting on the impact of these upgrades to ensure continued excellence in maritime commerce.

"Today isn't just about docking ships; it's about unlocking the economic potential of the Turks and Caicos Islands by removing the barriers that have slowed our progress for years."