History





The Port of Kingstown -
Legacy of a Colourful History

St.Vincent and the Grenadines has a colourful history in maritime feats. The islands were first discovered by people from South America, the Ciboney, who made the journey is small crafts carved from the hollowed trunks of trees. The Arawak indians followed and introduced skills in farming and fishing. These original settlers were overtaken by the warlike Caribs (hence Caribbean) as they journeyed north though the Caribbean islands. It was the Caribs who were first encountered by European explorers in the late 15th century.








The next several centuries saw the French and English battling for control of the islands. In 1675, the slave ship Palmyra sank off the coast of the Grenadines island of Bequia. The Africans who managed to swimashore eventually mixed with thenative Caribs to form the "Black Caribs". It was to be more than 200 years before the Europeans gained a foothold, as the Black Caribs had a well earned reputation for repelling invaders to their shores.

By a treaty between the French and the British in 1763, St.Vincent and the Grenadines was declared British.

St.Vincent and the Grenadines changed hands between the British and the Frencch several times, finally being establish as a British colony in 1871.

 
The Port of Kingstown held a prominent place in early development, with the British occupying the south of St.Vincent, the distinctive signal station, Fort Charlotte, then the garrison of the Bristish Navy served to defend the critical port from the incoming French naval ships and from inland attacks by the Caribs supported by the French. Remaining wheeled cannons are today still pointed inland.



St.Vincent and the Grenadines became a British associated state in 1969 and gained independence within the British Commonwealth in 1979.



Port Kingstown Today


An Act of Parliament in 1975 created the St.Vincent and the Grenadines Port Authority (SVGPA), which is responsible for the running of Port Kingstown and the other smaller harbours throughout the islands.

Over the years, as the living standards of its citizens improved in fair pace with the developing World, cargo handling and passenger travel has seen mounted increases.  Port Kingstown today serves as the gateway to the



 


Milestones

     
1965

The Deepwater Harbour of the Port of Kingstown is completed with the aid of the Government of Canada.



1975

The St.Vincent and the Grenadines Port Authority (SVGPA) is created by Act of Parliament, thereby making the Port Authority responsible for the administration of the Port of Kingstown and the smaller harbours throughout the 18-island state.



1994

SVGPA awarded the NovaPort Cup by the Port Management Association of the Eastern Caribbean to the OECS Port with the highest performance.



1996

Through a US$ 13.5 million investment at the Campden Park Bay, the dedicated container terminal - the Campden Park Container Port - opens its gates to business.



1997

The new administrative building on Upper Bay Street officially opens on Thursday 10th July.




1999

The Cruise and Ferry Terminal complex officially opens in November 1999 in an investment of $US 17.5 million by the Government of St.Vincent and the Grenadines.



2006

SVGPA awarded the NovaPort Cup by the Port Management Association of the Eastern Caribbean to the Port with the highest performance.



 2007 
   In July, Ports of Kingstown, Campden Park and Port Elizabeth declared ISPS compliant. ISPS Code is the International Code for the Security of Ships and of Port Facilities.
     
 2008    100-Ton Gottwald Mobile Harbour Crane introduced at Campden Park Container Port. CPCP accomodates vessels not equipped with cranes.