AAdvantage Standard Mastercard AAdvantage miles 5,000 AAdvantage miles AAdvantage Platinum Mastercard 10,000 cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 75 CENTS | Funding local journalism | Tuesday, 10 December 2019 News Prospect Park project starts Page 6 News Immigration building remains closed Page 4 Case for cargo Government says increasing capacity is essential, but its plan remains controversial Pages 7 -9 5.0 magnitude earthquake felt in Cayman Page 2 Early morning shake-up• Matinees Daily (matinee price before 6pm) • Seniors $8.00, Mon-Fri Before 6pm • Additional charges apply per 3D/VIP tickets Cayman Cinema@cbcinema6cbcinema6 SATURDAY NIGHT: For your viewing pleasure, minors under the age of 18 will not be admitted to any film starting after 6pm, unless accompanied by their parent. - TUESDAY - 640-FILM (640-3456) 21 BRIDGES (R) 1:30 | 4:05 | 7:20 | 10:00 VIP THE COURIER (PG) 12:50 | 2:45 | 7:05 | 10:00 FORD V FERRARI (PG13) 3:20 | 6:40 | 9:30 FROZEN 2 (PG) - 3D 12:45 3D | 1:15 | 3:50 VIP 4:25 3D | 7:00 | 9:30 3D KNIVES OUT (PG13) 12:45 VIP | 3:35 | 9:50 PANTI PATNI AUR WOH (PG) 6:20 | 9:40 CLASSICS @ THE CINEMA A STAR IS BORN 1976 (R) 7:00 VIP PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY: Cayman Compass Ltd. Compass Centre, Shedden Road, George Town, Cayman Islands SEND US YOUR VIEWS OR NEWS: P.O. Box 1365 Grand Cayman, KY1-1108 Cayman Islands Telephone: (345) 815-0095 Email:newsdesk@compassmedia.ky ADVERTISE WITH US: T: (345) 949-5111 E: sales@compassmedia.ky W: caymancompass.com PUBLISHER KATHLEEN CAPETTA NEWS PRODUCER AND OPERATIONS MANAGER KEVIN MORALES A MEMBER OF THE INTER-AMERICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION “Give light and the people will find their own way” Mostly sunny during the day, Partly cloudy skies at night with 20% chance of showers WINDS East to northeast at 10 to 15 knots SEA STATE Slight to moderate with wave heights of 2 to 4 feet Forecast today weather 86°F 75°F HIGH LOW CAROLINA LOPEZ clopez@compassmedia.ky A magnitude 5 earthquake rocked Cayman in the early hours of Monday morning. Residents from East End to George Town and West Bay reported feeling the tremor that the United States Geological Survey said occurred at 1:12am. The USGS said the earthquake’s epicentre was around 47 miles east-southeast of East End at a reported depth of 6.2 miles. No tsunami alert was issued. Residents took to Facebook and other social media platforms to report feeling the tremor. Simon Boxall, Acting Deputy Director of Hazard Management Cayman Islands, said there were no reports of any damage. He said HMCI was aware that several people felt the tremor. Boxall said aftershocks could be possible following a strong earthquake. “The [magnitude] 5 earthquake early this morning [Monday] was not a large event,” Boxall said. “Following an event, the likelihood of another earthquake occurring relatively shortly afterwards is more likely.” The USGS said Cuba and Honduras were also affected by the earthquake. An HMCI and Department of Public Safety and Communication statement said no emergency alerts were issued following the earthquake. It said the threshold required to issue an immediate public notification has to include at least three ‘felt reports’, a report of damage to a structure, or an earthquake measuring 6 or above in the region. Monday’s earthquake, it said, did not meet the threshold as only one felt report was received. Magnitude 5 earthquake shakes Cayman The star marks the location of Monday morning’s magnitude 5 earthquake which occurred 47 miles east-southeast of East End, Grand Cayman. Online poll: Did you feel the earthquake? Facebook results were: 54 votes total 35% Yes 65% No RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Vandals publicised their objections to a wall being constructed by Seven Mile Public Beach, calling for it to be taken down. On Monday, workers covered the words, 'Tear this wall down' , that had been written on the structure over the weekend, with a fresh coat of white paint. The wall is under construction as part of the ongoing upgrades at the beach. The project is being undertaken by Dart, which on Monday, in an emailed response to queries from the Cayman Compass, acknowledged the public’s reaction to the height of the perimetre wall. However, Dart pointed out that ultimately it respects the Central Planning Authority’s directives on the wall. “As part of the NRA Agreement, Dart is delivering the CI$3 million upgrades at Seven Mile Public Beach envisioned by government. The original designs submitted to the Central Planning Authority (CPA) by the Ministry of Commerce, Planning and Infrastructure (the applicant) called for a 2.3’ wall along the section of the public beach bordering West Bay Road,” the Dart statement said. “As a condition of approving the application, the CPA directed the applicant to build a wall at 5’ instead and further directed the applicant to build the wall inside the sidewalk.” The construction of the new wall was highlighted in a recent Compass article and it has since drawn public outcry since it obstructs one of the few remaining views of the sea from the roadway. The CPA, according to its published minutes on Dart’s application for permission, noted that “the proposed height [2.3’] defeats the purpose of the objective which was to prevent people from crossing into the public beach from the side of the road.” The CPA was expected to issue a statement on Monday, but up to press time it had not been received. Outcry over public beach wall Dart: CPA directed the height Vandals make their feelings known about the wall by Seven Mile Public Beach. cayman compass 2 news N news TUESDAY, 10 DECEMBER 2019STAND UP FOR THE FUTURE OF CAYMAN INTEGRITY. OPPORTUNITY. PROSPERITY. VOTE YES. You will pay for the cruise berthing facility and cargo enhancement project CPR CLAIMS: You will NOT pay. The proposed US$250 million cruise berthing facility and cargo enhancement project is being undertaken with NOFINANCIAL RISKto the Cayman Islands Government. The government will provide NO loans, bonds or guarantees. The preferred bidder, Verdant Isle Port Partners, will pay ALL costs to design, build, finance and maintain the facility. Verdant Isle Port Partners will pay for the maintenance and insurance of the cruise and cargo port for 25 years. Government will save the money they are currently paying for these services which can then be put towards essential services. If the project goes over budget, Verdant Isle Port Partners will meet those costs entirely. If the cruise berthing and cargo port facility is damaged in any way, for example by hurricane, Verdant Isle Port Partners will cover all costs to repair it. The facility will continue to be owned and managed by the Port Authority of the Cayman Islands. Verdant Isle Port Partners will receive the return on their investment from cruise passengers who use the berthing facility for a 25 year period, allowing the new facility to pay for itself. After 25 years, the Cayman Islands Government will own the cruise berthing and cargo port facility entirely. FACT: cayman compass 3 TUESDAY, 10 DECEMBER 20191234567 8 910 111213 14 15161718 19 2021 1234567 8 910 111213 14 15161718 19 2021 ACROSS 1 Discreet (7) 5 Generously sufficient (5) 8 What it’s all about (4,2,3,4) 9 Memorial heap of stones (5) 10 An aerial (7) 11 Humble oneself (6) 12 Principal commodity (6) 15 Inspiring wonder (7) 17 Ray of light (5) 19 Constant absorbing interest (13) 20 Yield to another’s wish (5) 21 Lading (7) DOWN 1 Refreshing (5) 2 Give positive pledge (6,7) 3 Move abruptly and angrily (7) 4 Deadly (6) 5 A representative (5) 6 Candour (5,8) 7 To raise (7) 11 Understood (7) 13 Having left a valid will (7) 14 Snub (6) 16 Take place (5) 18 Firmly held belief (5) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 16244 The numbers in the black cells are clues. Numbers above the slash are across clues. Number below the slash are down clues. The goal is to enter digits 1 - 9 in the white cells to add up to the number clues. You cannot enter any digit more than once when adding up to clue. YeSteRDAY'S SOLUtIONS Puzzle 16243 ACROSS: 1 Amity, 8 Top-notch, 9 Aswan, 10 Concerto, 11 Buddy, 12 Web, 16 Starve, 17 Author, 18 Den, 23 Allay, 24 Hitherto, 25 Stray, 26 Tolerate, 27 Polka. DOWN: 2 Mosquito, 3 To and fro, 4 Coyote, 5 Snack, 6 Stark, 7 Shoot, 12 Wed, 13 Ban, 14 Stiletto, 15 Tomahawk, 19 Entity, 20 White, 21 Still, 22 Weird. CAROLINA LOPEZ clopez@compassmedia.ky The former immigration building on Elgin Avenue remains closed as remediation work continues. The office, which fields a large portion of immigration and work permit-related transactions, has been closed for more than a month after air circulation issues were flagged. Officials told the Cayman Compass they were hoping to reopen the office for certain services within the next few weeks. Customs and Border Control has been operating at the side of the Visa Office on Elgin Avenue. Martha Connolly, communications manager for the Ministry of Employment and Border Control, said Workforce Opportunities and Residency Cayman was moved to Apollo House West on Mary Street in early November, after the air circulation problem surfaced at the main office on Elgin Avenue. She said CBC is slated to return to the main gallery building, but the WORC offices will not be returning. Connolly confirmed the the remediation work has not been completed. “We anticipate the main gallery to reopen in the coming weeks; we are aiming before the end of this year,” Connolly said. Until then the office will remain closed. “This will allow CBC services to operate out of the main gallery instead of ... at the Visa Office; however, the services of WORC will remain operational at Apollo House West,” Connolly said. Anyone requiring work- permit, status, and permanent- residency services should go to the WORC office in Apollo House West. Elgin Avenue immigration building still closed A woman walks pass the closed WORC CBC office on Elgin Avenue, George Town. cartoon Prophecy - By Caymanman It has been a busy year for Cayman’s anti-corruption body with no let-up of investigations in the second half of 2019. Statistics released by the Anti- Corruption Commission show that investigators conducted 115 interviews with suspects and witnesses, arrested eight people and executed 10 search warrants during the commission’s last reporting period. During that time, from 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019, one person was charged and six others convicted in the Grand Court. Since 1 July this year, the commission has received seven new complaints or reports of alleged corruption. Investigators conducted almost 40 interviews and made two arrests. Six people have been charged and three were convicted. A total of 13 investigations are ongoing and 27 people remain on bail in corruption-related matters. Of those, nine are awaiting sentencing, five are awaiting trial, another nine are subject to ongoing investigations and four people are waiting to hear whether they will be charged. In a message for International Anti-Corruption Day, which was marked worldwide on Monday, the commission said it continues to strongly encourage the government “to focus on putting in place the necessary safeguards aimed at preventing corruption”. This should include “stricter accountability and supervisory roles within the various government entities and the commencement of the Standards in Public Life Law”. ACC chairman Richard Coles said most cases involve protracted, complex and multi- faceted investigations. Citing a United Nations report the commission said US$1 trillion is paid in bribes and an estimated US$2.6 trillion is stolen through corruption every year. This equates to more than 5% of the global gross domestic product. Commission working on 13 anti-corruption cases 115 interviews with suspects and witnesses 8 people arrested 10 search warrants executed 4Join Us We look forward to seeing you at for our Sister Islands Customer Appreciation Days Little Cayman Customer Service Centre Monday 16 Dec, 9am – 2pm Benson O. Ebanks Customer Service Centre Tuesday 17 Dec, 9am – 4pm CAROLINA LOPEZ clopez@compassmedia.ky Shoppers looking for unique Christmas presents were not disappointed Saturday at the first Compass Media Christmas Community Craft Fair, which attracted 50 vendors. The event, which drew a steady flow of visitors, was held in the carpark of Compass Centre, George Town. The fair was inspired by the rebranding of the newspaper and reemphasising Compass Media’s commitment to the community, said Penelope Wunsch, publisher’s assistant for Compass Media. “I think that giving back to the community is one of the key things,” Wunsch said. “Reaching out to bring people into the Compass community is a focus for us.” The event was sponsored in part by the Health Services Authority and Fidelity. At least half the vendors were from the Visual Arts Society, with booths also incorporating vendors from the George Town Craft Market and the Camana Bay Farmers Compass craft market draws Christmas shoppers Vendors set up at Compass Media parking lot for the Community Craft Fair on Saturday, 7 Dec. JEWEL LEVY jlevy@compassmedia.ky The Peter N. Thomson Family Foundation has donated $500,000 to its University College of the Cayman Islands scholarship fund. UCCI said the donation, presented Thursday, 5 Dec. is expected to provide funding for up to 14 scholarships in 2020. The Peter N. Thomson Family Foundation – UCCI Scholarship will be awarded to qualified Caymanian students to pursue their associate or bachelor’s studies, who maintain a minimum 2.25 GPA or 2.5 GPA, respectively. The scholarship is worth up to $2,500 annually to cover tuition, fees, books and supplies for full-time students. “This is a momentous day,” said Stacy McAfee, UCCI president and CEO, in accepting the cheque from Peter A. Thomson, foundation director and former Caribbean Utilities Company CEO. The donation was made in a small ceremony on the campus with UCCI senior management staff, board members and invited guests. “UCCI is on the threshold of celebrating 45 years of impact next year,” said McAfee. “This scholarship opportunity is truly nation building as it will support up to 14 scholarships annually.” She added, “I am particularly pleased that the gift targets students across a broader continuum of both potential and academic performance and who demonstrate financial need.” In applauding the donation and the Thomson family’s contribution to the community, UCCI board chairman Mark Scotland said that if he had not had access to a scholarship, he would not have had the opportunity to attend university. Thomson said it was the wish of his father and family to give back to the countries that became their home. Thomson said he looks after the Cayman Islands and his sister the Bahamas, with connections into Canada. “Our belief in education has been something my father was very passionate about, and of course that moved on to me and my sister,” Thomson said. “We are very proud, and we are committed to our foundation and to particularly helping and thanking the people of the Cayman Islands for making this a great home, which I have been associated with since 1980,” Thomson said. He said the scholarship was a way to honour their father, and the family’s involvement has been very rewarding. “I want to wish UCCI and its team all the best,” Thomson added. “We look forward to seeing the results and who are chosen.” Applications to the Peter N. Thomson Scholarship are now being accepted. To apply, students can visit www.ucci.edu.ky/ PNT/scholarship or call UCCI at 623‑8224. The deadline for applications is 31 Dec. 2019. UCCI scholarship fund gets $500,000 boost and Artisans Market, with some independent Caymanian artisans displaying their work as well. Among the crafts on offer were pottery, jewellery, toys and thatched goods. Santa Claus was also on hand at the fair to hear Christmas requests and take pictures with youngsters. Staff from the HSA offered free flu shots to the public. The Cayman Arts Festival Soul Band from John Gray High School provided live music. Simon Allnutt, music director at the school, said the students had been preparing for quite some time as they were very excited to be asked to play for the event. “They enjoyed being up on the balcony,” Allnutt said. “It was like a stage for them.” Peter A. Thomson, director of the Peter N Thomson Family Foundation. Local crafts on display at Saturday's fair. 5RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Government now has the green light to proceed with its record budget. At just more than $1.5 billion, the 2020/2021 fiscal package is the largest ever for the Cayman Islands. “[It] was a very momentous day in the history of the Cayman Islands and its economic growth as we pass the largest budget in the history of the country,” Finance Minister Roy McTaggart told the Cayman Compass in a brief interview following the passage of the budget. Legislators gave their approval on the appropriations on Thursday evening, at the close of a three-week Finance Committee session in the Legislative Assembly. “All in all, it was a bit of a marathon session in Finance Committee to get all of the appropriations approved, and I think the level of spending that we are able to implement in 2020 and 2021 is clearly reflective of the sterling performance of government revenues, which is reflective of the continued expansion and growth of the Cayman economy,” McTaggart said. During committee stage there were a couple of adjustments made to the fiscal package, he said, adding the net effect of the changes was “quite modest”. In his report to the House, on Thursday, the minister said the committee agreed to disbursements of $22.3 million from the Environmental Protection Fund for the Integrated Solid Waste Management System project (capping of the George Town landfill), the reclamation and remediation of Kaibo Public Beach, and the continuation of the iguana-culling programme. It will cover the purchase of lands for conservation purposes as well. The committee also increased funds allocated to Cayman Finance, which will receive $750,000 in both 2020 and 2021. He said the committee also created a new payment of $150,000 in each year towards the Superior Auto apprenticeship programme. McTaggart said he was pleased with the fiscal package, especially since it will get the John Gray High School project started in 2020. He said there will also be significant spending for roads. “You will see, as well, that we have increased the assistance government provides to the vulnerable in our society and I think it will be well received and they will be starting from January 1 in 2020. They will receive an additional $100 per month, taking their monthly support to $850 a month and that will increase again to $950 a month in 2021,” McTaggart said. The minister added that through the budget government has committed to significant reductions in fees and in some cases elimination of duties for those over 65 years old. “Again, [another] very vulnerable segment of our population and demonstrates our commitment I believe to making sure that we provide for them and give them as much assistance that we can. So those will be rolled out in the coming months in 2020,” McTaggart said. Record budget gets go ahead “[It] was a very momentous day in the history of the Cayman Islands and its economic growth as we pass the largest budget in the history of the country.” Roy McTaggart , Finance Minister RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky It was a double celebration for the communities of Prospect and Red Bay over the weekend. The festivities marked the groundbreaking for the new Eddie Sanchez Community Park and the annual Christmas potluck party at the park’s new site. “It is going to be more than a park, we see a lot of things happening here,” Sabrina Turner, Prospect Red Bay Community Group leader said in an interview with the Cayman Compass Monday. The park project is a community effort which, she said, is being assisted through donations from, among others, members of the Lions Club of Grand Cayman and Joanna Boxall, who is donating trees for the green space. The park, which will sit on six parcels of land between Victory Avenue and Prospect Drive, is expected to include a parking area, walking track, basketball court, a sand area and play equipment for children, cabanas for parties, and bathroom facilities. It was named in honour of late businessman Eddie Sanchez, who originally owned the land the park is being built on. Turner said site preparation has started and she anticipated construction to begin within the coming months. The project, she said, is expected to be completed by summer 2020. Premier Alden McLaughlin, who is the Red Bay MLA, and Prospect MLA Austin Harris were both on hand for the groundbreaking and party. McLaughlin said the project will be a community asset. “I am delighted that we are able to get the construction of this park under way,” he said. “It is part of my government’s important policy initiatives to significantly increase the number and quality of public spaces for the enjoyment of our people and visitors.” Harris told the Compass that was also pleased the park was moving forward. “While once upon a time Victory Avenue to Mangrove Avenue was considered Prospect, and across the roundabout was Old Prospect, with the introduction of single-member constituencies they were divided between Red Bay and Prospect. The park represents a bringing back together of the community into one and it will serve as a gathering place for all the community both young and old to enjoy,” Harris said. The park project, spearheaded by the community group, has the full support of the area’s residents, Turner said. “It means for once we can have a space where everyone can meet on neutral grounds. We plan to have a walking park, and [areas] for recreational purposes like basketball and volleyball. We intend to have the park be a national park at the end of the day,” she said, adding that everyone will be welcome to use the facilities. Harris said every year the community gathers for a pre-Christmas party which is usually done potluck style with participants bringing dishes, including favourites like turkey with stuffing, roast pork and jerk pork, with heavy cakes provided by Melba Nixon. McLaughlin also contributed his Cayman-style beef for the community event. In addition, John Ebanks of the Lions Club demonstrated his cooking skills at the popular event. The Regeneration Band provided live entertainment and the evening was capped off with a fireworks display. Following a public procurement process, the Ministry of International Trade, Investment, Aviation and Maritime Affairs has appointed KPMG as consultants for the development of an international trade and investment strategy. The project encompasses the execution of a three-part plan submitted by KPMG. The phases of the plan include data collection and benchmarking, stakeholder engagement and strategy development. “We are looking forward to developing a strategy that will harness the potential of the public and private sectors. We want to understand Cayman’s footprint around the world and identify ways to sustain and expand that footprint,” said Eric Bush, chief officer of the ministry, who is attending the Cayman Alternative Investment Summit Brazil. “We strongly believe that data should drive policy. Our data driven strategy will ensure Cayman remains relevant and forward- thinking in a rapidly evolving environment,” he said in a press release. The ministry and KPMG will work closely with the public and private sectors during the project with a focus on attracting inward investment, diversifying the Cayman economy and improving the ease of doing business. The ministry was announced in December 2018 by Premier Alden McLaughlin to enhance image of the Cayman Islands internationally and to create a single point of contact for foreign direct investment. New ministry hires KPMG to develop trade and investment strategy Premier Alden McLaughlin and Prospect MLA Austin Harris join members of the Prospect Red Bay Community Group to break ground on new park. Prospect community breaks ground for new park Finance Minister Roy McTaggart during his budget presentation last month. 6RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Many have focussed on the cruise aspect of the $200 million port project, but the expanded cargo facilities are also part of the package. Cayman’s cargo port is the conduit through which food and essential supplies come to local shores. Though its inclusion in the referendum question is a point of contention, the need for improved cargo facilities is less controversial. Government and opposition officials have both said an upgrade at the 42-year-old George Town facility is long overdue. Port Authority leaders have said the port is near its maximum capacity. In today’s featured interview, Barry Loudermilk, business development manager for Orion Marine Group, one of the partners in the Verdant Isle consortium selected as the preferred bidder for the project, gives details of what is planned for cargo. What are some of the key features of the cargo project? During the design phase we had the opportunity to make improvements on the cargo. We increased the capacity of the cargo area to 5.9 acres. The current cargo area is 4.7 acres; we increased it by 1.2 acres… [with] the added berth links, the availability of ship berthing is 368 ft and we also added a new cargo pier. How will these features help the current port operations? Efficiency, safety. We reviewed some of the footage provided by the Port Authority of some nighttime operations. Currently, they are very crowded trying to move the containers around on ships, moving cars around. We are adding a lot of additional space. With that space we will create better efficiencies for the port and better safety. Right now, it’s just super crowded at night; not only that, they currently have a single Ro Ro facility (roll-on, roll-off capability enabling trucks to drive onto ships), which is pretty small. What kind of environmental impact are we looking at for this particular aspect of the project? Overall, we did not separate cargo versus cruise. We just referred to this as the port project because that is what it is. It is not just cruise and cargo, it is a facility, a port project. Will it allow for bigger ships? They are going to be able to accommodate more containers for sure. We have increased the square footage or the acreage of the actual yard but as far as the ships’ sizes… we are not bringing in large vessels. That’s a Panamax ship, we are not bringing that in. 400 feet, I think, is the limits of our design. How is the referendum affecting your plans? It is not impacting our planning strategy. We are fully prepared that if the people of Grand Cayman say no to the port there is no harm, no foul. We will walk away from it and we will be friends. Orion Marine group, Royal Caribbean, Carnival, we have been a part of this society for a long time. A lot of people don’t realise that Orion Marine group through acquisition had purchased Meisner [Marine Construction] who originally built the facility in George Town now. McAlpine actually built the first facility, we did a big extension, as well as the improvements in Cayman Brac. We are moving forward until the people of Cayman say no or yes. How important is this as a group to carry on the legacy that started with Meisner? If at any time there is impact to the environment that is catastrophic or even to a point where we can’t live with it, our legacy as a company is we won’t live with it. We will basically say that’s enough, we can’t go forward with it and I know the cruise lines stand behind that statement as well. We are stewards of the environment. I know there have been a lot of questions about that, but we are. As Orion Marine Group, we operate in Alaska, Tacoma, Houston, Florida, East Coast, Caribbean so we are in a lot of places and we cannot afford to make a mistake nor will we. How will port/cruise operations be managed during construction if the green light is given? There is a full phasing plan that we are still working through the refinement of. We hope to make that public in the very near future. But for the Caymanian people, [neither] port operations nor the cruise operations are going to be affected by this project as far as having to stop for days and wait, nor are the vendors on the streets or the shop owners. Life is going to go on and you’re still going to have ships anchored, tendering operations are still going to happen, cargo is still going to happen. We had a really good dialogue with NRA (National Roads Authority) and we are working with them on their master plan. What benefit would be derived from the project that you are putting forward? From a cargo aspect, number one, it’s going to be a bigger facility. They’re going to be able to expand the imports as far as having more room to put more stuff. As far as an economic benefit, the consortium has no port operations in our bid so I can’t speak on economic benefits. That has to be from the government or the Port Authority because they manage the cargo coming in and how that whole efficiency programme works. With all the controversy surrounding this project how do you feel about it moving ahead? Every project that we do is a challenge wherever it is at. We work throughout the islands, throughout a lot of places where we are very sensitive to our environment … in the US as well. Where we are today we are very happy that we have been awarded preferred bidder and we support the Cayman Islands, the government and the people that are voting on this referendum whether it’s yes or no. We would love to move forward with this. I think it is an excellent project for the country. I think it is going to bring a lot of economic drivers, as well as it is going to add to the class of service that the ships will be able to provide to the docks. Orion: Upgrades essential for efficiency and safety Orion: Upgrades essential Focus on cargo Barry Loudermilk An architect's impression of how the new cruise and cargo port could look. cayman compass 7 I issues TUESDAY, 10 DECEMBER 2019JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@compassmedia.ky Plans to expand the cargo facility at its current location could cause more problems than they solve, warns George Town Central legislator Kenneth Bryan. Bryan is one of a number of opposition politicians who oppose cargo and cruise being rolled into one project. Others like North Side legislator Ezzard Miller have argued that the cargo development should be left out of the referendum question. But Bryan says his concerns are more fundamental. He said no business case study had been done to show what scale of cargo port increase was required. And he believes that if Cayman continues to grow, the increases planned by government in this development may not be enough. “My biggest issue is that they have indicated that they won’t be moving the cargo facility from its current location,” Bryan said. “If the population grows to 100,000 they are going to have to keep expanding it and that will change the entire environment of the waterfront. “I don’t see how developing an industrial port fits with the revitalisation of George Town.” He acknowledged that relocating cargo operations would likely mean a new port and new environmental concerns elsewhere. But he said he did not support the continued expansion of cargo at the current site and warned there may not even be enough space to accommodate future expansion. If Cayman continues to grow, he warned, government may need to look for a new cargo site elsewhere anyway. He said there had been no business case study done to examine Cayman’s future cargo needs and no assessment of other potential options for expansion. “There has not been enough studies or research done to determine that cargo should be part of this project. It has just been thrown in there without the analysis that was done for the cruise project,” Bryan said. Original business case Cargo was not part of the project when the original Outline Business Case was developed. The document discussed cargo mainly in relation to its impact on the cruise facility. The ‘preferred option’ outlined in the business case was for two cruise piers and a possible future relocation of cargo operations. The consultants noted that the cruise facility should not eat into the existing cargo space. Their report does not preclude expanding cargo at the current location but it does not recommend it specifically. The option outlined at that time suggested the cruise development should be built so as to allow the possibility for cargo operations to be moved in the future. It noted that this may not be financially feasible and suggested a study. The business case stated, “Determining the timing, location and potential cost as well as the financial feasibility of relocating the cargo operations is not part of the [Outline Business Case] scope and would require an in-depth review and potential restructuring of the cargo operations and forecasts of future cargo volumes.” The report added, “Given the importance of the cargo operations for the economic and social wellbeing of Caymanians and the foreseeable lack of space at the current George Town site for cohabiting cruise and cargo operations over the long term, we believe it would be prudent for government to undertake long- term planning for the relocation of the cargo operations.” Bryan concerned over cargo plan The original business case on the cruise berthing project highlighted a “foreseeable lack of space” for cruise and cargo at the current site over the long term. cayman compass 8 I issues TUESDAY, 10 DECEMBER 2019RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky When Cayman’s cargo port was opened in back in 1977 it served a population of 12,000; since then the population has grown to 60,000 plus. However, the port itself has not grown and the increasing the demand for imported goods has left the current facility bursting at the seams. That is the reason why government officials claim the cruise berthing and cargo facility is not just a ‘want’, but a necessity. “The current cargo port is old and too small for today’s needs not to mention future needs. It needs better protection from wave action and is potentially dangerous when operating at peak times,” the Office of the Premier said in a statement in response to questions from the Cayman Compass. It is a point Acting Port Authority Director Joseph Woods raised in Finance Committee recently as legislators expressed concern over the working hours for staff at the port. The director said that the port is operating at maximum capacity 90% of the time. While the attention has been mainly focussed on the cruise berthing part of the project and its environmental aspects, government officials say the cargo port is an important element that warrants attention. “The current cargo port is cramped, has been for a while, and does not serve us well - and this will worsen in the years to come. “We need to be able to better separate cruise and cargo, as well as make for a more efficient and safer cargo environment,” the premier’s office said in the statement. “We also need to modernise the cargo operations, including accepting larger cargo ships that will dominate the cargo sector. The cruise/enhanced cargo project solves these issues as well as provides a way to pay for the necessary added cargo space, without adding the burden on CIG [Cayman Islands Government], as well as cruise berthing.” Some Opposition members like North Side MLA Ezzard Miller have called for the cargo port to be separated from the cruise berthing for the referendum, but the premier’s office said this is not possible. “There has always been one project with the same repayment source – that is the proposed Cruise Berthing and Enhanced Cargo project. If the project is voted down then both aspects will be voted down,” the statement said. Should the referendum go against the government that will be end of the upgrade to the cargo facility for now. Government said there are no plans to revise and retender the port aspect of the project. “Not by this Government, and any future Government will be faced with the same issues – how to pay for it coupled with any new potential objectors,” a spokesman for the premier’s office said. “The concern is that both aspects of this project have the possibility to get done now with a good deal and at a time when CIG is in a good position.” Port Authority struggling for space The Port Authority has warned that space limitations at the current cargo facility are putting a strain on the efficiency of its staff and the maximisation of its equipment. “The time to expand is now, before we reach the critical point in the very near future,” a Port Authority spokesman said in response to questions from the Compass. “No one waits until his clothes are two sizes too small before acquiring better fitting ones. In the case of our facilities, we are already one size too small for the cargo dock and two sizes too small for cruise.” Under the project the cargo space will increase by 27% when compared to the nighttime cargo area and a wider space for daytime operations. The changes will allow for more operational space for equipment movement and simultaneous operations of container vessels and aggregate/cement, the authority said. The extra space will also allow larger cranes to work on the pier. There have been two expansions at the port in the past, the authority said. The most recent addition of the Royal Watler terminal was projected to last for 15 years. “We are now a little past that and struggling for space. The lack of space causes delays on the vessel operations and the availability of the containers for the retailers/importers in Cayman. This proposed expansion should provide us another 10-15 years before additional expansion would be required. The continued growth of the Cayman Islands along with continued increase of imports both in containers and bulk continues as a steady pace which contributes to the forecasted capacity,” the spokesman said. The addition of a third small berth for the barges/aggregate/ cement is a huge improvement, according to the authority. “[It] allows operations of another vessel which cannot be done at this time. Moving that berth out of the way of container operations allows for the simultaneous operations of container vessel and bulk,” the spokesman added. We need enhanced cargo port Government: 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 20142015201620172018 Cargoimportsincrease - last five years Current cargo facility 4.7 acres Proposed cargo facility 5.9 acres Cargo imports into Cayman are steadily increasing and government says increasing the space at the dock will allow for larger ships, among other benefits. The volume of cargo imports coming into Grand Cayman has increased from 229,000 tons in 2014 to 309,000 last year cayman compass 9 I issues TUESDAY, 10 DECEMBER 2019Next >