New port delivers faster cargo operations and growing capacity in SVG

Imported vehicles at the Modern Port in Kingstown. Photo: MPOC social media.

By Val Matthias. Updated 7:14 p.m., Thursday, May 14, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

Operations at the new modern port in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines have become significantly more efficient since the facility opened in October 2025, according to the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Port Modernisation Company (SVGMPOC).

Port officials say the upgraded facility is already improving cargo handling, speeding up vessel turnaround times and increasing operational capacity as trade volumes continue to grow.

Cargo ships, including lumber vessels and car carriers, are now being processed more quickly because storage areas are located closer to the quay, reducing the time needed to move and discharge cargo.

Officials say the redesigned layout has allowed goods to move through the port more smoothly while improving overall service delivery.

Even with record numbers of vehicles arriving at the port, authorities say storage operations have remained organised and manageable.

SVGMPOC described the development as a major step forward for the country’s trade and logistics sector, saying the port was helping to strengthen efficiency, productivity and national connectivity.

“The new port is delivering the performance, capacity and reliability needed to support growing trade and customer demand,” the company said.

Officials also described the project as part of a wider national transformation effort aimed at supporting economic growth and improving infrastructure across St Vincent and the Grenadines.

SVGMPOC said it remained committed to supporting national development and strengthening the country’s links with regional and international markets.

Here are some credible background details you can naturally add into your BBC-style port story for context:

The Kingstown Port Modernisation Project was valued at approximately US$250.8 million, making it one of the largest infrastructure projects in the history of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The project was financed through a combination of a US$110 million loan from the Caribbean Development Bank, grant funding from the UK Caribbean Infrastructure Fund, and contributions from the government of St Vincent and the Grenadines. The project was designed to improve cargo efficiency, strengthen climate resilience and support economic growth by increasing the country’s trade-handling capacity.

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