WICO pursues dredging and diversification to strengthen St. Thomas cruise competitiveness

St. Thomas has a depth problem, not a demand problem. The numbers on that are clear enough. The West Indian Company Limited (WICO) is projecting 362 vessel calls and 1.2 million passengers through its Havensight dock in fiscal year 2027, with five ships making their maiden calls to the port. The problem is what happens when the biggest ships in the world try to get in.

"We have the dock space and the berthing space to take a large ship," said Joseph Boschulte, president and CEO of The West Indian Company Limited (WICO). "However, we didn't have the depth of the channel and the turning basin to allow the largest vessels to come in safely. After this dredging is done, that changes."

The dredging project, awarded to Orion Marine Construction, a contractor with extensive Caribbean and global experience, is scheduled to begin in September 2026, with completion targeted for mid-2027.

Boschulte said the company knows the harbor well and has confidence in the contractor's planning and execution using modern technology.

The project addresses what Boschulte has been candid about as one of St. Thomas's most pressing competitive disadvantages.

The WICO facility can currently accommodate three large cruise ships, but depth constraints limit its ability to accommodate the industry's largest vessels.

Oasis-class ships currently berth at Crown Bay Cruise Center, the island's second cruise port operated by the Virgin Islands Port Authority.

WICO's proposed dredging project is aimed at improving its ability to compete for the newest generation of large cruise ships and increasing operational flexibility.

Once the dredging is complete, the upgraded specifications will allow the next generation of larger ships to call at Charlotte Amalie Harbor, open opportunities to accommodate larger cruise vessels and should increase visitor spending.

The 2027 schedule already tells a strong story. Five ships are making their maiden calls to the WICO dock: the Carnival Festivale, Carnival Firenze, Explora III, the Norwegian Aura and the Seven Seas Prestige. That mix, spanning mainstream, premium and ultra-luxury, is not accidental.

"I'm a firm believer in diversification," Boschulte said. "All economic levels benefit the island and all the ancillary industries that depend on cruise traffic. When people think of Carnival Cruise Line they think one type of passenger. Disney is different again. Explora and Regent bring a completely different traveler to St. Thomas."

He used Disney Cruise Line to illustrate the point. Disney, which is continuing to grow its fleet over the coming years, brings a passenger who is predominantly pre-booked on shore excursions.

Carnival brings a higher proportion of independent travelers who move around the island on their own and who fuel a different ecosystem of local taxi operators, smaller tour providers and independent businesses.

"If you talk to our taxi concession, they deal with more non-pre-paid clients," he said. "Those smaller businesses invest in themselves because they are competing for that business. Their taxis are clean, their service is sharp. Both models benefit the island but in different ways."

The diversification argument extends to the most pressing strategic question facing any Caribbean port right now which is the rise of cruise line private islands.

Carnival's Celebration Key, Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day collection and MSC's Ocean Cay are drawing passengers away from traditional port calls with resort-style beach experiences that are polished, predictable and easy to sell.

Boschulte does not dismiss the trend. He has studied it carefully and believes both guests heading on shore excursions and independent guests have their place in the tourism industry.

"Private islands have been around for a while, but now they are offering bigger and more spectacular resort-style packages," he acknowledged. "As a former head of tourism for the Virgin Islands, I understand what those offerings provide. They offer a controlled solution, but there are still thousands of people who still want something that is really authentic about their experience they can find on their own. They don't just want an obvious package, they prefer to go rogue and get stuck into the real feel of the place."

His answer is to push St. Thomas toward much more interactive, immersive experiences from local food to genuine shopping and beach experiences that feel ''real'' rather than manufactured, and what he describes as the kind of authentic encounter that a private island, by definition, cannot really deliver, no matter how awesome they are.

"We have to adapt, and we have to continue to thrive on both fronts," he said. "More interactive experiences, the ability to taste local food, beautiful authentic beaches, gritty and great real experiences instead of just always choosing a pre-organized package. I still believe that people crave that. The numbers tell us the same thing; it's why the local economy thrives on independent tourists. It's a popular option, maybe not for everyone but people are different, so whatever floats your boat is good for us, either way. We will look after you with amazing hospitality and services.''

The broader picture for St. Thomas is one of momentum. Caribbean cruise traffic has grown this fiscal year substantially, and the island is benefiting from that surge. WICO recorded 302 ship calls and 946,199 passengers through May 31 of fiscal year 2026, and Boschulte described the current period as the moment the destination has finally found its post-pandemic rhythm.

"St. Thomas didn't receive a ship for 18 months during Covid," he said. "But things are now normalizing and getting so much better. We are getting back to above normal and this fiscal year we see as our new base. Oh, and I'm super bullish!"

Beyond the dredging, the WICO board recently approved plans for the development of more than 13 acres of upland property at the Havensight dock, alongside upgrades to the port's water distribution system.

Boschulte said the upland development represents a significant opportunity to reimagine what the guest experience at St. Thomas looks like from the moment passengers step off the gangway, potentially including new hotel and hospitality offerings that extend the destination's appeal beyond the cruise call itself.

With the dredging contract signed, the orderbook growing and five new ship relationships beginning in fiscal year 2027, Boschulte said the competitive position of St. Thomas is stronger than it has been in years.

"The cruise industry is growing again, which is wonderful," he said. "And St. Thomas is so ready.''