Wico plans to expand St. Thomas pier

The West Indian Company Ltd. (Wico) will submit a proposal in the next northern hemisphere summer to enlarge the US Virgin Islands' St. Thomas pier, the Virgin Island Daily News reported. The expansion will allow the pier to receive Royal Caribbean International's planned enlarged cruise ships, carrying 5,000 passengers. Wico plans to approve design plans in the northern hemisphere's 2004 summer and will apply for permits from the planning and natural resources department and the Army Corps of Engineers. Works could be completed by 2005-2006. A cost estimate will not be available until Wico completes the design plan, the paper said. Wico is the wholly-owned subsidiary of the public finance authority and has completed US$8mn in pier improvements since 1997 to accommodate more and larger ships. The authority owns the pier, while Wico manages operations. Wico estimates 1.9 million passengers will visit St. Thomas during FY2004. The public works department will also improve various roadways as complementary works to increase the area's traffic capacity. St. Thomas has some 48,000 residents and includes capital Charlotte Amalie. The islands are also on a key shipping lane for the Panama Canal.