The government intends to demolish Rat Island and use the excavated material to reclaim land for a major expansion of the St. John's Port, as Antigua and Barbuda moves to increase cargo capacity and establish itself as a regional transshipment hub. Prime Minister Gaston Browne announced the plan Saturday, according to Antigua News Room.
Browne said the project forms part of a broader strategy to address a shortage of container storage space while accommodating growing cargo volumes and attracting new shipping and logistics business to the island.
Speaking during his weekly Pointe FM programme, the prime minister said approximately nine acres of land have already been reclaimed on the northern side of the port, but that further expansion will be necessary to meet future demand.
"Rat Island — that we intend to cut down to create more land. And by so doing, we will have more space for container storage. I understand now we don't have enough space," Browne said.
The government also expects to reclaim additional land from nearby areas to support the port's continued growth. Browne said the expanded facility will strengthen Antigua and Barbuda's ability to handle increasing cargo traffic while advancing plans to position the country as a regional logistics centre.
The prime minister also disclosed that the government is in discussions with a U.S. company that could become the principal operator of the expanded transshipment facility. He noted that Antigua and Barbuda already serves as a transshipment point for cargo moving from Panama through the Dominican Republic before distribution to other Eastern Caribbean islands, and said the government intends to build on that existing role.
"We already have a U.S. entity that we're speaking with about being the anchor tenant or operator for a port facility," Browne said. "We have to expand the port."
Browne said a larger port would improve access to imported goods while supporting efforts to diversify trade through stronger links with markets in the Dominican Republic, Central America and South America.
The prime minister also highlighted the broader transformation of the St. John's waterfront, noting that areas once occupied by derelict barges have been redeveloped through land reclamation and new infrastructure projects, including the Global Ports cruise terminal development.
He said the continued expansion of the cargo port is designed to support Antigua and Barbuda's long-term economic growth by increasing shipping capacity, improving logistics infrastructure and creating new opportunities in regional trade.
