MSC Cruises has begun work on Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. Located south of Bimini in the Bahamas, the island will become an exclusive natural paradise for MSC Cruises guests starting in November 2018. The Honorable Perry Gladstone Christie, Prime Minister of The Bahamas, joined Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises, at the official opening ceremony, along with other Bahamian ministers and government officials. This milestone marks the official start of the work to restore this former sand quarry to its original state.
The development of Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve is part of MSC Cruises' €9 billion investment plan. This includes the construction of up to 11 state-of-the-art smart ships, which will enter service between 2017 and 2026. The first phase of the reserve's development is now beginning, as the existing industrial infrastructure has been removed to transform the area back into a precious marine reserve.
Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises, stated: “Working in partnership with the Government of The Bahamas, our goal is to transform an industrial wasteland into a thriving environment for both people and nature, restoring the island and its waters to their pristine state. In doing so, we will substantially increase our Group’s investment in the Bahamian economy, providing the local population with long-term employment opportunities.”
“As proof of our capacity for innovation, a pier and jetty will be built designed to allow our cruise ships to dock directly at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. In this way, the island will become an extension of the ship,” Vago added.
Gianluca Suprani, Global Head of Port Development and Activities at MSC Cruises, stated: “Located just 104 kilometers east of Miami, Florida, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve boasts 3,474 meters of coastline, crystal-clear waters, and unique marine life. The island features some of the finest aragonite sand in the world, and once the work is complete, the waters will once again be home to beautiful coral reefs and abundant marine life. It will be an exclusive destination for MSC Cruises guests, who will experience the very best of the Caribbean.”
A comprehensive landscaping project will plant more than 80 native Caribbean trees, plants, flowers, and shrubs on the island, thus restoring its natural habitat.
MSC Seaside and the other MSC Cruises ships operating in the Caribbean will regularly call at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve on their itineraries starting in November 2018.
