BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, NOVEMBER 27TH 2013 (CUOPM) – The St. Christopher Air and Sea Ports Authority (SCASPA) is reporting a record profit of EC$3.5 million in 2012.
According to the Annual Report for the year ending 31st December, 2012, laid on the table of the St. Kitts and Nevis National Assembly on Tuesday by Minister of International transport, Sen. the Hon. Richard “Ricky” Skerritt, SCASPA continued to see the positive results of the restructuring of its operations even as the goal economic crisis continued.
“SCASPA progressed along the path to financial sustainability, reporting a record profit of $3.5m. This is the second consecutive year in which a profit was realised, with a 510% increased over that in 2011. The total revenue for the year amounted to $41.3m, an increase of 9.3% over the previous year,” said SCASPA’s Chairman, Mr. Carol Evelyn in the Report.
He said that after two years, SCASPA is optimistic that a trend of profitability has been established, largely as a result of improve operational efficiencies, major changes in cost and revenue structures and fiscal prudence.
He noted that as part of its plan of continuous improvement to provide safe, reliable and customer-focussed services, SCASPA embarked on several capital projects, most of them at the Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw International Airport.
Mr. Evelyn said a brand new carrier AC chiller and a specially-designed management system were installed, ending the long and frequent periods of discomfort created by a malfunctioning unit.
He said the security operation was upgraded with the procurement of new CCTV system, access control system and ID card control software.
“Additionally, consultants were engaged to design an airfield lighting system which would replace the one that has been in use for over 25 years. The new lighting system is expected to be in place in 2013,” said the SCASPA Chairman, who also said that the buoy at the Deep Water Port was replaced so that the berthing of cruise vessels up to 960 feet in length with a maximum draught of 26 feet could resume when two vessels were at the Port Zante pier.
“Mindful that tourism is the sector on which our Federation is largely dependent for economic growth and aware of its critical role in facilitating the continued development of that industry, SCASPA will continue to invest in improving its operations and infrastructure,” said Mr. Evelyn.