Project includes 400-acre mangrove park from dredged material
BELMOPAN, Fri. Sept. 12, 2025
During the opening ceremony at Grand Caribe for the Belize Investment Summit, one of the project proposals presented was a massive cargo and cruise tourism port expansion and modernization project for the Government-owned Port of Belize Ltd. (PBL). As is well-known, the infrastructure dating back to 1980 has outlived its lifespan and is in urgent need of modernization. Ambassador Daniel Gutierrez, from the Project Execution Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister, presented the Master Plan, which has already been approved by Cabinet. He reported the projected investment figure at over US$400 million, and today, Prime Minister John Briceño told Amandala that the figure is not finalized as yet, but the figure that has so far been tallied is currently US$410 million. He shared that a call of interest will be made for companies that are interested in investing in the project.
Thus far, the Prime Minister says they have initiated talks with two bona fide, globally recognized port operation companies: SSA Marine from the U.S. and Global Ports Holding from Turkey. The former focuses on port terminal operations, cargo handling and logistics, while the latter specializes in cruise terminal management. The Government intends to explore obtaining financing for the project, and then making repayments through head tax.
Gutierrez shared a four-step process for the realization of the project, beginning with the development of navigation and harbor infrastructure. "We are not digging a new canal," affirmed Gutierrez. Instead, he says the existing canal will be upgraded and repurposed to allow for larger ships and more containers. There is also a plan for improved traffic flow by making a direct connection from PBL to the George Price Highway, all "through PBL lands".
Asked about the benefits to the area, the PM described it as a game changer, saying it would create an economic boom because the intention is for the port to be a logistical hub. Additionally, while he today described Tren Maya coming to Belize as a long shot because it won't happen overnight and will be costly, the PM said, "should we be able to pull that off, the idea is that the Tren Maya could stop at the port." According to the PM, because southern Mexico does not have adequate cargo port facilities, with an expanded and modernized PBL, Mexico will "be transporting thousands of containers every year through the Port of Belize." He made a similar point regarding Guatemala. "Their port in the Atlantic side has reached its maximum ... so they need another area to bring in containers to the eastern part of Guatemala," the PM explained.
Additionally, Gutierrez says that, apart from the creation of "100s of jobs in the construction phase, and 1000s on project completion through direct and indirect opportunities in the trade, logistics and tourism sectors," freight costs would also be reduced. He noted that with Feedermax class cargo vessels having access at the port, and due to increased operational capabilities at PBL, freight costs per ton would decrease by 31% and berth productivity by 52%, driving down the cost of shipping for Belizeans.
In the case of the cruise port component, the plan is for the provision of a 4-berth shore-access for Icon/Excellence class cruise vessels which Gutierrez says would equal 6,000- 10,000 daily visitors.
Out of the excess dredged material, the intention is to create a mangrove ecological park consisting of over 400 acres of mangroves to be planted. Gutierrez declared, "No. We will not just go in there and tell people what must be done. We need to go into the Southside and partner with people. We need to partner with our scientific community, with our NGO community, with our people, with our community groups ..." We note here that an expansion project proposed by PBL when it was under ownership of the Ashcroft group was met with significant pushback due to environmental concerns.
The Prime Minister explained that the urban ecological park will be in the form of small islands, and shared that this has already been done successfully in Ecuador.
Already completed, according to Gutierrez, is a navigational bridge simulation which was successful. They have also received approval for the Environmental Social Impact Assessment terms of reference and the mangrove/wetlands creation concept has been designed. Up next is the stakeholder engagement and community outreach. The hope is to have secured project financing by the first half of 2026 so that construction can begin by the third quarter of that year. Completion of the cargo facility is projected for the end of 2027, while the cruise port is expected to be finalized by late 2029.
(AMANDALA Ed. Note: Sounds like a done deal. EIA and all?)