MSC Cruises upcoming Ocean Cay Marine Reserve in the Bahamas has broken ground and one step further to completion in 2018.
A ceremony was held on the Island which is located south of Bimini in The Bahamas. The Right Honorable Perry Gladstone Christie, Prime Minister of The Bahamas joined Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises’ Executive Chairman, at the official Groundbreaking Ceremony along with other Bahamian ministers and government officials.
Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC Cruises, said:
“Working in partnership with the Government of The Bahamas, our aim is to turn an industrial wasteland into a thriving environment for man and nature alike, bringing the island and its surrounding waters back to their original stat.”
“In so doing, we will substantially grow our Group’s already strong investment in the Bahamian economy, offering long-term employment opportunities to the local population.”
The major ground-breaking milestone marks the official commencement of the works that will turn this former industrial sand extraction site back into its original pristine state. There is still a long way to go and more milestones to come before Ocean Cay official opens in November 2018.
The development of the Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve is part of MSC Cruises’ unprecedented $10.2 billion investment plan, which includes the building of up to 11 next-generation smart ships coming into service between 2017 and 2026. The first phase of development of the marine reserve will now begin as the island is cleared of existing industrial infrastructure so it can be turned again into a pristine marine reserve.
Gianluca Suprani, head of global port development and shore side activities at MSC Cruises, said:
“Located merely 65 miles east of Miami, Florida, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve has 11,400 feet of beautiful coastline and crystal blue waters teaming with unique marine life. The island has some of the finest aragonite sands in the world and once the work is completed, its surrounding waters will be home again to beautiful corals and rich aquatic life”
“It will become a truly exclusive destination for MSC Cruises guests to experience the best the Caribbean has to offer.”
The cruise lines upcoming MSC Seaside will be among the first ships to begin calling at Ocean Cay from November 2018.
