The V.I. Port Authority held its third and final forum on St. Croix Wednesday night at the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport to discuss the contentious proposal to raise marine fees.
Earlier public hearings on St. Thomas and St. John drew significant interest, with residents voicing strong objections to the proposed changes.
During the latest public gathering, officials from VIPA discussed ongoing infrastructure improvements across the territory, financial projections for the next fiscal year, and further details of the proposed increases in marine dockage fees. The session drew a mix of praise, concern, and calls for greater transparency from residents and business owners who rely on the ports for their livelihoods.
Some of the proposed fees include a $2 per passenger marine tariff for the Red Hook barge ramp, new fees for cargo staging, and a new parking fee at the Victor Sewer Marine Facility in Cruz Bay, among others. For a full list of the proposed increases, click here.
Executive Director Carlton Dowe opened by reaffirming that VIPA is an independent, self-sustaining government agency, not reliant on annual government appropriations.
“We are not part of the central government budget,” Dowe said. “The Port Authority operates based on the revenues it generates — from leases, user fees, and federal grants. That’s how we fund our operations, pay our employees, and maintain our facilities,” he said.
He explained that VIPA’s revenues are reinvested into maintenance, dredging, and expansion on St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix, citing improvements at the Gallows Bay Marine Facility, Red Hook Transportation Center, and both airports.
“These projects are being paid for through bond financing and internal revenues,” he noted, referencing a 2014 bond. “If we don’t modernize, we fall behind. The industry is changing and ships are larger, passenger traffic is increasing, and we must keep up.”
Addressing questions about a projected $5 million revenue increase for the next fiscal year, Dowe said those numbers remain preliminary.
“Once the conclusion of those negotiations is completed, then we’ll reassess our operations and have a better outlook as to how our future would look,” Dowe explained.
Several attendees demanded greater transparency around how VIPA develops such projections.
Audience member and entrepreneur Jed JohnHope said, “The public is asking for more information. Projections help us in business — they help us plan.”
Dowe cautioned against reading too much into a debated $7 million profit figure.
“Remember, the reporting period that was referenced was through July,” he said. “We still have a few months to go. I don’t want anyone to believe it’s going to be $7 million and some of that is timing. Projects that were in design or delayed in construction meant certain expenditures didn’t yet happen.”
He reiterated VIPA’s openness to further stakeholder engagement. “We’ve been transparent,” Dowe said. “We show you exactly how and where our money comes from. Our offices are open if you want a deeper discussion, we’ll have it,” he said.
Another objection came from Mike Simpson, a marine operator in Frederiksted, who challenged the proposed 150% increase in dockage fees.
“The company I work for is family-owned and has supported the Frederiksted community for the past 10 years,” Simpson said. “This increase would add up to about $3,000 per month for our vessel. That kind of change could drive small operators away from Frederiksted,” he said.
He warned that sudden increases would not align with existing contracts and could have ripple effects on local commerce.
“Our cruise ship charter contracts are signed for two years,” Simpson said. “We can’t suddenly raise rates to cover the added hardship. This could hurt not just operators, but the restaurants, shops, and workers who rely on that business.”
Simpson also pointed to ongoing maintenance deficiencies at the Abramson Marine Facility, noting poor lighting, no public restrooms on non-cruise days, and insufficient bollards for moorings. He proposed a more moderate increase of $1.25 per foot for the 2025–2026 season, phased in incrementally to allow businesses time to adjust.
“This fee hike would put a knife into the very heart of those operations,” Simpson warned. “Frederiksted and its pier are unique, and the businesses there deliver a superior tourism product.”
Dowe responded that VIPA remains open to negotiation. He noted that several ferry operators to the British Virgin Islands had expressed willingness to support smaller increases.
“Three of the major operators we met with said they’d be willing to support a 50-cent increase,” Dowe said. “Your suggestion of $1.25 will certainly be taken into consideration. That’s the purpose of these meetings: to get real feedback before final decisions are made.”
He added that VIPA will address concerns at Frederiksted, including lighting and mooring infrastructure. “We appreciate your observations,” Dowe said. “I’ll look into the lighting and the bollards you mentioned. At the end of the day, I take full responsibility for what happens at the Port Authority. You can always reach out to me directly,” he said.
As the public feedback continued, Dowe reiterated that nothing has been finalized.
“This is not a done deal,” he said. “The reason we come to the public is to get real discourse. We want everyone to understand that any adjustment we make is tied to the cost of maintaining and improving the ports.”
Throughout the meeting, Dowe emphasized VIPA’s unified approach across all three islands.
“We are one Virgin Islands,” Dowe said. “When we improve one port, we improve them all. That’s what keeps this economy moving forward.”
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