China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) Americas broke ground on a US$39-million port in North Abaco, The Bahamas, last Friday.

The project, which includes the development of a 3,500 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) on 45 acres of land on the small island of little more than 3,700 inhabitants, is expected to generate as many as 80 local jobs.

“I would like to thank the more than 80 local companies who have provided goods and services to China Harbour here in the Bahamas,” said Zhong Dong Tang, regional director of CHEC Americas. “From September to June, we have spent over $1.3 million in just Abaco alone. We look forward to further strengthening our relationships with Abaco’s business community as we work together for the successful completion of the North Abaco Port Project.”

The port will be used to store a variety of building materials including steel, limestone and cement and other items, up to 10,000 tons.

However, all decisions regarding the use of the port will be made and announced by the Bahamian Government once plans have been finalised.

“There was concern or agitation that this day would not dawn,” said Philip Brave Davis, Deputy Prime Minister of The Bahamas. “However, as promised we are here and breaking ground to build the North Abaco Port. Coopers Town specifically and by extension all of Abaco … will reap the benefits of this investment and seize opportunities resulting from this development.”

Davis also noted that teh government will continue to work alongside China Harbour to ensure that the project continues in a timely manner while using the maximum amount of Bahamian services.

The construction phase of the project is to be funded by the Export Import Bank of China and the Government of The Bahamas and is estimated to take approximately two years.