The Virgin Islands Port Authority has confirmed that dredging at Charlotte Amalie Harbor in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, is scheduled to begin by October 12, 2026. The $41.9 million project aims to improve navigational access for larger cruise ships and expand the operational capabilities of one of the Caribbean’s major cruise destinations.
The Virgin Islands Port Authority (VIPA) announced on September 18, 2026, that it had finalized the timetable for the Charlotte Amalie Harbor Dredging Project, an infrastructure initiative under development since 2008.
The authority signed a contract worth up to $41.927 million with Orion Marine Construction on June 5, following approval by its Board of Governors on March 18. The contractor has 365 days from the start of dredging to complete the works.
The project will deepen three key areas of Charlotte Amalie Harbor: the entrance channel, the turning basin and the berth pocket serving the West Indian Company Limited (WICO) cruise terminal at Havensight.
Deeper access for larger cruise vessels
The dredging project addresses navigational constraints that currently limit access for some of the largest cruise ships calling at St. Thomas.
According to the technical specifications published by VIPA in July 2024, the project targets controlling depths of 40 feet (12.1 metres) in the main channel, 38 feet (11.5 metres) in the turning basin and 36 feet (10.9 metres) at WICO’s berths.
These improvements are intended to allow larger vessels to enter, manoeuvre and berth under safer operating conditions. The infrastructure upgrade also comes as WICO anticipates continued cruise activity. Following its August 2026 board meeting, the company projected approximately 1.2 million passengers and more than 360 vessel calls for fiscal year 2027.
For St. Thomas, deeper navigational access could provide greater flexibility in allocating berths and accommodating larger ships. Actual traffic gains will depend on cruise lines’ deployment decisions and future port schedules.
A two-phase project across St. Thomas and St. Croix
The Charlotte Amalie Harbor Dredging Project will be implemented in two phases, with separate handling arrangements for different categories of dredged material.
The first phase, scheduled from October 2026 to March 2027, will remove non-beach-quality material from the entrance channel, turning basin and WICO berth pocket.
The material will be transported by vessel to St. Croix, dewatered at the Gordon A. Finch Molasses Pier in Krause Lagoon and subsequently transferred by truck to a disused quarry near Henry E. Rohlsen Airport.
The second phase, planned from March to October 2027, will focus on beach-quality material removed from the entrance channel. It will be transported to Crown Bay Cargo Port in St. Thomas before being transferred to the former Addelita Cancryn Junior High School property for temporary placement.
VIPA is preparing the former school site through a separate $2.53 million demolition and site-preparation project. Most demolition work is complete, with remaining activities expected to conclude by the end of 2026.
Maintaining cruise operations during construction
The Virgin Islands Port Authority intends to coordinate dredging around scheduled cruise calls to minimize operational disruption.
VIPA Executive Director Ava Penn described the project as a major investment in the territory’s maritime infrastructure, stating: “We are pleased to move this important project forward after years of planning.”
The authority does not anticipate adverse effects on cruise traffic, although individual construction activities may be adjusted to accommodate vessel movements, weather conditions and other operational requirements.
The Virgin Islands Legislature has allocated a combined $23 million toward dredging activities. The project will now move toward its scheduled October start, with completion expected within one year of the commencement of dredging.
For St. Thomas, the investment represents an infrastructure upgrade aimed at addressing vessel-access limitations while maintaining existing cruise operations throughout construction.
Source : Virgin Islands Port Authority — Charlotte Amalie Harbor Dredging Project
When will the Charlotte Amalie Harbor dredging project begin?
The Charlotte Amalie Harbor Dredging Project in St. Thomas is scheduled to begin by October 12, 2026, with completion required within 365 days of commencement.
How much will the project cost?
The Virgin Islands Port Authority awarded Orion Marine Construction a contract valued at up to $41.927 million.
Which areas of the harbor will be dredged?
The project covers Charlotte Amalie Harbor’s entrance channel, turning basin and the berth pocket serving the WICO cruise terminal at Havensight.
Will cruise operations continue during construction?
The Virgin Islands Port Authority plans to coordinate dredging around scheduled cruise calls and does not anticipate adverse effects on cruise traffic.
