When East meets West…

Europe-based cruise port operator makes its mark in Caribbean

As far as the Caribbean is concerned, it’s a company that seems to have come from nowhere in a very short time and in doing so has captured two of the region's most prestigious cruise terminal management contracts.

But for those already in the know, Global Ports Holding (GPH), the fast-growing London-listed company with its roots in Turkey, is no new kid on the block. In fact, the group is now the world’s largest cruise port operator. For the Caribbean, at least, this is a newish name and one, given its niche expertise, which is destined to become more established in the coming years.

Emre Sayin, chief executive of GPH, told Caribbean Maritime: “For the last two years or so GPH has been introducing itself to ports throughout the Caribbean and explaining the benefits we can bring. Our model consists of our making an investment in return for a long-term concession to operate the port. We also bring operational know-how, marketing capabilities and help develop services and the destination.

“The investment can be used for building a terminal or it may be used for debt reduction in circumstances where a government has already invested in new infrastructure. This model has been well received.”

Successful

Last year GPH was chosen to operate La Habana Cruise Port – the group’s first successful foray into the western hemisphere. In May last year GPH secured a 15-year management agreement with the Cuban company Aries to operate the fast-growing cruise port in Havana. Aries is an enterprise owned by Cuba’s Ministry of Transportation.

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