As part of a 25-year port operation and lease agreement with the government of the Bahamas, Global Ports Holding (GPH) and Nassau Cruise Port Ltd. (NCP) sought to upgrade and expand one of the Caribbean’s largest cruise ports to accommodate six cruise ships per day including three Oasis class vessels and up to four million passengers a year.
The scope of the project included a new sixth berth and upgrades to the flagship Prince George Wharf. WSP was retained by GPH to provide owner’s engineer design services in support of the design-build contract with the preselected contractor ENKA. Later, ENKA retained WSP to continue with design services.
WSP was tasked to develop detailed engineering plans, specifications, and estimates for the following items.
- Dredging to accommodate Oasis- and Epic-class cruise vessels
- Extending the cruise pier 720 feet to the east to create an additional berth with a new open pile supported extension supporting precast deck
- Creating two berths for mega-yachts at the cruise pier extension
- Repairs to the existing cruise pier, passenger pier, and mooring dolphins
- Rehabilitating connecting Structures 1 and 2
- About 2,000 feet of tie-back combi-wall bulkhead with due consideration of filling sequence
- Retrofit and extending Prince George wharf
- Reclamation and stabilization of additional land near the west marina
- Creating the east and west tour boat marinas
The cruise pier upgrade at Nassau Cruise Port will invigorate tourism and provide a cruise terminal capable of accommodating Oasis- and Epic-class cruise vessels.
All Ahead Full
WSP navigated several challenges, including permitting of dredging/reclamation and open pile driving works within a sensitive environment, geotechnical design issues associated with extremely variable limestone, and construction issues within an operational terminal during the COVID pandemic.
Long-lead items such as piles and precast also had to be designed and ordered in advance to meet the project’s schedule. WSP developed design options that not only satisfied the criteria but also accounted for ongoing port operations during construction.
In addition, the rehabilitation of the bulkhead and west marina needed to account for improvements on the landside, including raising the grade. WSP provided electrical, plumbing, and fire protection for the new marine infrastructure, as well as the rehabilitated marine structures.
WSP also designed new pavement for the existing structures.
The Nassau Cruise Port expansion and upgrade completed in 2024.
Design-Build and Cruise Operations Experts
WSP has extensive experience in efficient and expedited design-build project delivery along with clear understanding of cruise ship operations and cruise lines expectations. This allows WSP to provide versatile designs compatible with contractor means and methods and owner preferences. Primary services include:
- Basis of Design
- Comprehensive Structural Analysis
- Bulkhead Design during Construction and Operational Phases
- Repair Design
- Utility Design
- Permitting Support
- Final Design and Construction Drawings
- Construction Support
