Work starts on new passenger shelter at Inter Island Quay |24 February 2015

Construction work on a new passenger shelter at the Inter Island Quay has started.

The new facility forms part of the Seychelles Port Authority’s (SPA) development plan to provide quality and more comfortable infrastructure to port users.
 
With the boost in construction of new tourism establishments on the inner islands recently and with the introduction of bigger and modern ferry facilities by private entrepreneurs, the SPA felt the need to upgrade its services accordingly.

Currently there is a yearly average of 800, 000 passenger traffic, both foreign and local travelling through the domestic jetties of Mahé, Praslin and La Digue.

This new facility is expected to alleviate most of the constraints being faced by passengers, due to a lack of comfortable sitting area during harsh weather conditions and especially for early morning travellers.

The new passenger shelter will be located at the vacant land between Fish Tail Restaurant and the taxi bays. It will have a seating capacity for 500 passengers and will also include a left over luggage store, public toilets, ticketing check point and booths for car hire and DMC (destination management companies) operators.

Passengers embarking will be able to walk to the boat under protection from rain and sun.

The contract for the project as per formal national procurement procedure has been awarded to Hari Builders at a cost of R3.9 million and is expected to be completed by the end of 2015.

In order to facilitate the construction to progress smoothly without affecting the safety and security of the existing ferry, cargo and restaurant operations which will still be functioning in parallel with this construction, certain traffic circulation amendment will be introduced. These necessary amendments have been done in consultation with most of the Inter Island jetty stakeholders and SPA port police will be present on site to ensure smooth control and circulation of the jetty traffic.

The SPA is asking for the support and cooperation of all jetty users throughout this construction period and it has also advised them to take extra precaution while using this area.

“We also welcome any complaint/suggestion that the public may have once the construction work begins and they could address it at our office on telephone 4294700,” says the SPA in a press release.