It is reported that MSC Cruises has officially acquired a stake in the Grand Bahama Shipyard. The company will collaborate with Carnival Corporation and Royal Caribbean Group to jointly promote the comprehensive upgrade of the Grand Bahama Shipyard, aiming to establish a world-class cruise ship maintenance center in the Caribbean region and further develop its own cruise business.
According to reports, the Grand Bahama Shipyard was previously owned by Carnival Corporation (40%), Royal Caribbean Group (40%), and the Grand Bahama Port Authority (20%). As early as April this year, media reports indicated that MSC Cruises was preparing to invest in the shipyard. This move will not only strengthen MSC Cruises’ business development in the Caribbean but also enhance its participation and influence in the Bahamas, including advancing the expansion of its private island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, and collaborating with Royal Caribbean Group on the Freeport Harbor development project in the Bahamas.
The specific stake acquired by MSC Cruises in the Grand Bahama Shipyard and the transaction amount were not disclosed. However, with the collaboration of the three major cruise giants, the comprehensive upgrade of the Grand Bahama Shipyard has become a focal point for the global cruise industry. This initiative not only benefits the future development of the shipyard but also highlights the industry’s ongoing demand for efficient and advanced maintenance infrastructure, as well as the Bahamas’ strategic position as a key maritime hub.
According to earlier announcements from the shipyard, the Grand Bahama Shipyard will invest $600 million in a comprehensive modernization upgrade, including the construction of two new floating docks and the expansion of supporting infrastructure. The goal is to transform the shipyard into a major vessel maintenance base with the world’s largest cruise ship repair facilities.
The core of this upgrade is the construction of two massive floating docks capable of accommodating and servicing all existing and planned cruise ships globally, as well as other types of vessels. Once operational, these docks will become the most important ship repair infrastructure in the Western Hemisphere. It is reported that the two floating docks are currently being built by Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding. The “East End” floating dock, measuring approximately 357 meters in length and 76 meters in width, has a lifting capacity of 93,500 tons and will be equipped with four cranes. It is scheduled to depart for the Bahamas in September this year, arriving in November, with operations expected to commence in January 2026. The “Lucayan” floating dock, designed with a lifting capacity of 125,000 tons, will become one of the world’s largest floating docks by lifting capacity and is expected to begin operations later in 2026.
Once fully operational, the two floating docks and related facilities will enable the Grand Bahama Shipyard to handle 85 to 100 dry-docking operations annually, including over 24 cruise ship refurbishment and dry-docking projects each year. Chris Earl, CEO of the Grand Bahama Shipyard, expressed enthusiasm about the shipyard’s continued momentum in modernization and development, noting that this will significantly boost future business volume, stimulate the local economy, create jobs, and benefit the Grand Bahama region.
Established in 1999, the Grand Bahama Shipyard is located just 93 nautical miles from Miami, USA, and has long been a key ship repair center in the Caribbean. In recent years, the shipyard has not only focused on enhancing its repair and refurbishment capabilities but has also committed to nurturing local technical talent. Recently, a second group of 20 local apprentices completed an 18-week technical training program at the Birkenhead Engineering College in Liverpool, UK. Upon returning, these apprentices will continue a four-year apprenticeship program to obtain professional certifications in ship repair, contributing to the shipyard’s future growth.
MSC Cruises, a subsidiary of the MSC Group, operates cruise services covering over 300 destinations in more than 100 countries and regions. By 2026, the company’s fleet will include 24 luxury cruise ships. Currently, vessels such as the *MSC World America*, *MSC Meraviglia*, and *MSC Seashore* are deployed on Caribbean routes.
