Highlighting the role of SLASPA to Saint Lucia

SLASPA | Port Call

MINISTER SHAWN A. EDWARD CONTINUES INFRASTRUCTURE FAMILIARISATION TOUR WITH VISIT TO PORT CASTRIES AND GEORGE F. L. CHARLES AIRPORT
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Accompanied by Ms. Lorraine Matthew, Permanent Secretary (Ag.), and Mr. George Melchoir, Deputy Permanent Secretary (South), the Minister was welcomed by SLASPA’s Senior Management team led by General Manager and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Daren Cenac, and Chief Strategy & Business Development Officer/Deputy General Manager, Mrs. Grace Parkinson, alongside Senior Manager – Airports, Ms. Amy Charles; Senior Manager – Seaports, Mr. Adrian Hilaire; Chief Engineer, Mr. Jumaane Paul; and members of the engineering department.

Accompanied by Ms. Lorraine Matthew, Permanent Secretary (Ag.), and Mr. George Melchoir, Deputy Permanent Secretary (South), the Minister was welcomed by SLASPA’s Senior Management team led by General Manager and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Daren Cenac, and Chief Strategy & Business Development Officer/Deputy General Manager, Mrs. Grace Parkinson, alongside Senior Manager – Airports, Ms. Amy Charles; Senior Manager – Seaports, Mr. Adrian Hilaire; Chief Engineer, Mr. Jumaane Paul; Port Councilor, Mr. Tedburt Theobalds; and members of the engineering department.

The visit to Port Castries included a tour of the Ferry Terminal and on-site observations of operations at Sheds 6 and 7, along with engagement with frontline and support personnel who play a critical role in ensuring seamless port operations. Particular attention was given to Berth 4, which is nearing the end of its terminal design life and requires increased maintenance intervention, underscoring the importance of the Berth 4 Reconstruction Project, scheduled to commence in 2026.

The Minister also reviewed recent infrastructure improvements, including the newly implemented traffic management system at Gate 7, Castries Seaport, designed to improve efficiency and reduce congestion for truckers entering and exiting the port. He was further introduced to SLASPA’s recently acquired LHM 420 crane, Greyson, which replaces the long-serving LHM 320 crane, Blueboy, marking another milestone in the Authority’s ongoing equipment modernisation programme.

The visit continued at GFLCA, where the Minister toured the nearly completed Port Police Barracks, conducted a ramp walkthrough, and visited key operational areas, including Airport Fire Rescue, Immigration, and Customs & Excise. He also received briefings on the Streamlined Travel; Airport Renewal & Transformation Project (S.T.A.R.T.), an ongoing initiative focused on continuously reviewing and enhancing airport operations to improve efficiency and customer satisfaction. Planned expansions of the departure lounge, departure concourse, and other critical areas were also outlined.

Mr. Daren Cenac, General Manager and CEO of SLASPA, emphasized the importance of the visit, stating:

“This familiarisation tour provided a valuable opportunity for the Minister to observe firsthand the scope of our operations and the dedication of our team. Following the initial visit to HIA, this engagement offered a broader appreciation of SLASPA’s work across its network.”

The Honourable Shawn A. Edward welcomed the progress observed and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to infrastructure development, noting:

“What I have seen today reflects a clear focus on efficiency, safety, and long-term sustainability. Our seaports and airports are critical gateways to Saint Lucia’s economic growth, and initiatives such as the S.T.A.R.T Project demonstrate a forward-thinking approach to service delivery and customer satisfaction. I commend the SLASPA team for their ongoing efforts and professionalism.”

The familiarisation tour forms part of the Minister’s ongoing engagement with key infrastructure agencies, aimed at strengthening collaboration and ensuring that national assets are managed in alignment with the Government’s development priorities.

 
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Castries, Saint Lucia — November 19, 2025 — The Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority successfully held its biennial full-scale emergency response drill on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at the George F. L. Charles Airport (GFLCA), simulating an aircraft emergency to evaluate the airport’s emergency plan and operational readiness, in line with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. 

The exercise assessed procedures for communication, command, and coordination among multiple response agencies during a major aviation incident. It seeks to improve collaboration and evaluate the overall readiness of the airport and its partners. 

Exercise Director Mr. Aubert Regis explained that the simulation was a crucial assessment of theairport’s emergency response capabilities.

“The exercise allowed us to activate the airport’s emergency response plan and evaluate how efficiently our agencies would respond in a real-life situation. The objective is not only to test our response  capacity  but  also  to  strengthen  collaboration  and  improve overall  performance,” Mr. Regis said. 

Over 100 participants—including emergency responders, volunteers, mutual aid partners, and aviation stakeholders—attended. The exercise demonstrated the capabilities of the GFLCA Emergency Operations Center (EOC), which serves as the primary hub for coordinating recovery and restoring normal operations after an incident. 

Acting Airport Manager, Ms. Alexandria Alexander, emphasized the importance of the simulation as a proactive step to ensure preparedness.

“Today’s exercise provided an opportunity for all response agencies to evaluate their performance, improve coordination, and ensure that in the event of an actual aircraft incident, the response will be swift, efficient, and effective,” Ms. Alexander said.

The scenario involved a mock aircraft crash to the north of the runway threshold near the hangar, with simulated passengers and crew. Responders practised activating emergency protocols, coordinating rescue and triage efforts, and managing communications with supporting agencies and medical teams. A formal debrief will follow to review lessons learned and identify areas for improvement.

Participating agencies included the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO), the Ministry of Health, Aerodrome Rescue and Fire Fighting Services (ARFF), the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF), Ports Police, Owen King European Union Hospital (OKEU), the Saint Lucia Red Cross, airline representatives, and airport personnel.

Chief Evaluator Mr. Andrew George praised the collaborative effort shown during the exercise.

“We assessed everything from scene management to communication and response timelines. The coordination observed among agencies was very positive and aligned with international emergency standards,” he said.

The Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA) sincerely thanks all volunteers, evaluators, external agencies, and the staff of George F. L. Charles Airport (GFLCA) for their dedication and professionalism. SLASPA also expresses appreciation to the public for their understanding and cooperation during this important safety exercise.

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The "Walk 4 Miles" initiative, conceptualized in 2023 as part of the St. Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority's (SLASPA) 40th Anniversary celebrations, aimed to support a meaningful cause by demonstrating SLASPA’s Corporate Social Responsibility. This year’s event, themed "Saving Lives, One Step at a Time," took place on Sunday, October 6, 2024, at 6:00 am on the Hewanorra International Airport runway.

The walk sought to engage the Vieux Fort community, SLASPA’s stakeholders and partners, while supporting individuals diagnosed with cancer through donations to Faces of Cancer. With over 300 participants and contributions from more than 35 corporate partners, the event exceeded expectations in both participation and sponsorship.

The Council, Management and Staff of SLASPA would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the following sponsors for their generous support: Agostini Insurance Brokers, SOL EC Limited, Renwick and Company Limited, Unicomer, The Saint Lucia Hospitality & Tourism Authority, Hewanorra Air Cargo Services (HACS), Massy Stores, Crystals Villa Resort, Coconut Bay, M&C Group of Companies, The Harbor Club, Hotel Chocolat, Innovative Business Solutions Inc., Caille Blanc Villa, Computer Business Services, Cox and Company Limited, Made in Paradise Saint Lucia, Jade Mountain, Foster and Ince Group of Companies, Peter & Company Distribution, Bel Jou, Blue Waters, Sandals, Royalton, Modern Fashion, Invest Saint Lucia, D&D Entertainment, Unreel Media, Red Cap Inc, Fancy Boutique, Bank of Saint Lucia, Calabash Cove, Atwell Dalgiesh Company Limited, M-Care, and Tropic Group Limited.

Should you require additional information, please contact the Business Development and Corporate Communications Department at 457-6109 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

 

 

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Castries, Saint Lucia – In a significant stride toward modernizing border management and enhancing the travel experience in the Eastern Caribbean, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission officially handed over 10 Automated Passport Control (APC) kiosks to Saint Lucia on October 9, 2025.

Eight of the APC kiosks have been installed at Hewanorra International Airport (HIA) and two at George F. L. Charles Airport (GFLCA) representing a significant step in aligning Saint Lucia's entry points with international best practices in passenger facilitation and border security.

Key national and regional stakeholders attended the handover ceremony, including Honourable

Jeremiah Norbert, Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Home Affairs; His Excellency Dr. Didacus Jules, Director General of the OECS; diplomatic representatives; development partners; senior government officials; and members of the SLASPA team.

This initiative is a flagship component of the Regional Integration Through Growth, Harmonisation and Technology (RIGHT) Programme, coordinated by the OECS Commission and funded by the European Union under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF). The programme aims to improve the efficiency, security, and interoperability of immigration systems across OECS Member States by leveraging innovative technology.

"The introduction of these kiosks in Saint Lucia and several of the OECS member states is in fact a major step forward in ensuring the ease and security of travel across the OECS region in keeping with our ambition to have a seamless economic union with free movement of people," said Dr. Didacus Jules, Director General of the OECS. He added, "However, this is just a first step and the technology is rapidly advancing so we are looking at a programme of continuous improvement of the airports that will bring all aspects of security from immigration to national security into play in a seamless fashion that is invisible to the passenger, which ensures ease of entry, speed of entry and security of entry".

The kiosks, already operational as part of a successful five-week testing phase, have demonstrated substantial improvements in passenger processing times. Full deployment is now set ahead of the peak tourist season, ensuring Saint Lucia is well-equipped to welcome more arrivals efficiently and securely.

At the national level, the initiative represents a critical milestone in SLASPA's airport modernization agenda. Ms. Amy Charles, Director of Airports at SLASPA, noted the importance of aligning with global standards:

"This project is a clear demonstration of our alignment with the provisions of ICAO Annex 9 Facilitation, which calls upon Contracting States to implement measures that streamline border control processes, minimize passenger inconvenience, and adopt modern automation technologies," she said. "By integrating these APC kiosks into our arrival process, we are not only adopting global best practices, we are also reaffirming our commitment to regulatory compliance and the principles of efficient passenger facilitation."

Receiving the kiosks on behalf of the Government of Saint Lucia, Hon. Jeremiah Norbert applauded the regional collaboration:

"We are very pleased and grateful for the collaboration between the OECS and the EU in supporting our Government's vision of delivering a Saint Lucia that is simply beautiful, for ensuring that our visitors can be on their way to enjoying our beautiful island within 30 minutes of arriving at either HIA or GFLA. This is only the start, the start of an effort to bring out seamless travel to Saint Lucia. In the coming period, we will focus our efforts on increasing the use of technologies at the ports of entry in Saint Lucia." 

Officials emphasized that the APC kiosks actively reduce congestion and shorten passenger wait times while strengthening national and regional security frameworks. By adopting this technology, Saint Lucia's airports now serve as modern, tech-enabled gateways that meet international standards and drive the region's broader goals of digital transformation and economic integration.

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Castries, Saint Lucia – November 26, 2025 – The Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA) has completed the public opening of bids for Packages 2 and 3 of the Hewanorra International Airport Redevelopment Project (HIARP) in Vieux Fort, marking a key step in the transformation of Saint Lucia’s primary international gateway.

By the submission deadline of 10:00 a.m. on November 20, 2025, SLASPA received seven (7) bids, including proposals with local contractor participation, either as independent bidders or as part of joint ventures. All bids passed the initial compliance verification and have moved forward to the detailed technical evaluation process. 

The proposals are being assessed by a seven-member Bid Evaluation Committee made up of engineering, air navigation, financial and project management professionals from SLASPA and its consulting partners, under an international competitive, single-stage, two-envelope tender process.

Packages 2 and 3 cover the construction of a new three-storey terminal building, providing approximately 274,300 square feet of occupied floor space, together with associated airside works. Key terminal features will include an air-conditioned ticketing hall, covered curb-side areas, a central atrium space, VIP and executive lounges, and expanded commercial areas for restaurants, bars and duty-free outlets.

The airside scope includes new asphalt and concrete apron pavements, rehabilitation of an existing aircraft parking stand, upgraded surface and sub-surface drainage, new apron lighting and signage, and enabling works to support five (5) passenger boarding bridges. Construction is projected to span three to four years, with contract signing targeted for the first quarter of 2026.

The implementation of HIARP is a central element of SLASPA’s long-term strategy to elevate the island’s aviation ecosystem and strengthen Saint Lucia’s competitiveness as a tourism and business destination.

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GOVERNMENT OF SAINT LUCIA

 

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE – PORT DEVELOPMENT PROJECT – SAINT LUCIA

 

GENERAL PROCUREMENT NOTICE

 

The Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA) has applied for financing from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) towards the cost of Technical Assistance – Port Development Project and intends to apply a portion of the proceeds of this financing to eligible payments under contracts procured under this project.  Payments by CDB will be made only at the request of GOSL and upon approval by CDB, and will be subject in all respects to the terms and conditions of the Financing Agreement.  The Financing Agreement prohibits withdrawal from the financing account for the purpose of any payment to persons or entities, or for any import of goods, if such payment or import, to the knowledge of CDB, is prohibited by a decision of the United Nations Security Council taken under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations.  No party other than GOSL shall derive any rights from the Financing Agreement or have any claim to the proceeds of the Financing.

 

The following goods and consultancy services will be procured under the project:

  • Consultancy Services for the Feasibility Study and Detailed Design of a Cargo Port at Cul‑De‑Sac;
  • Consultancy Services for the Design of a Port Community System; and
  • Supply and Installation of IT Equipment for a Port Community System;

It is expected that these services will be procured during the period October 2023 to December 2024.

 

Suppliers and Consultants from member countries of CDB will be eligible to participate in these procurement opportunities.  Potential bidders and proposers are advised to review the detailed eligibility criteria detailed in Section 4 of the Procurement Procedures for Projects Financed by CDB (January 2021), as published on CDB’s website (www.caribank.org).

 

The Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA) is the Executing Agency for the project.  Further details of the project can be obtained by contacting the address below.

 

General Manager

Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority

Manoel Street

Castries

Saint Lucia

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority
connecting People, Partners and the World
A P.O.Box 651,
Manoel Street, Castries Saint Lucia E info@slaspa.comP+758-457-6100

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