As we reported last night, the proposed cruise port named the "Port of Magical Belize" is coming under heavy fire from the Ashcroft Alliance. That's because government is getting ready to table enabling legislation for that 350 million US dollar project spearheaded by a company called Portico.
And while Portico is being criticized for getting a GOB green light, the company is proving tonight that it's in the fast lane.
A release this afternoon says, quote, "Portico Enterprises Ltd., Boskalis International. and the leading global cruise company, Royal Caribbean Group, announced today that they have signed a memorandum of understanding to form a joint venture to develop, manage and operate the Port of Magical Belize."
Now, an MOU is huge news - and it cements the commitment signed with Royal Caribbean in September of last year.
Today's release adds, "The port development project will provide cruise infrastructure capable of berthing the world's largest vessels not able to visit Belize today."
The other key partner is Boskalis, quote, "a leading global dredging company that has supported the development of Magical Belize, especially by means of providing significant technical, financial, environmental, and legal support such as, but not limited to, execution of soil investigations, preparation of designs, and preparation of the environmental studies." End quote.
And that's the other component of this project, like the Waterloo Port it will rely on heavy volumes of dredging, but unlike Waterloo it got environmental clearance on its first attempt. The Ashcroft Alliance has held this up as proof of uneven and unfair treatment for Waterloo.
And while The Ashcroft Alliance says it will mount a challenge in the courts, Portico;s cruise partner is quoted as saying, quote,
"Royal Caribbean Group conducted an analysis of cruise port opportunities in proximity to Belize City for a sustainable and operationally viable development project. Following the analysis, it was determined that the Port of Magical Belize was the only option that met the company's standards for environmental impact and operational capabilities."
Portico says it also has a Letter of Intent (LOI) from one of the largest international hotel chains, quote, "which seeks to establish a 300-room all-inclusive Resort Hotel adjacent to Magical Belize."
We'll keep following this story closely as all this magic will be played out adjacent to wetlands in the southern Belize District.
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