Port of Belize Expansion Back in Focus

The future of the Port of Belize is once again a hot topic. Years after Waterloo’s plan to modernise the cargo and cruise facilities stalled over environmental concerns, the government now owns the port and has revived the expansion proposal.

At a packed consultation led by NEXTERA, engineers, residents, and stakeholders discussed the project’s impact. Allan Herrera, NEXTERA consultant, said, “This is the icing of all investments because here we’re contemplating a project where there will be a massive turnaround in the port.”

The plan includes dredging over 8.5 million cubic metres of material. Herrera explained, “In this current project we are contemplating nearshore mangrove habitat creation from dredge spoils. In the previous iteration of the project the dredge spoils were supposed to be placed under water.”

Residents raised questions about local use of the dredge spoil. Dr Abraham Flowers of Port Loyola asked, “That dredging material, can it be used in Port Loyola for landfill? Can that be used? We need it. So can you give us that?” Herrera responded, “Some of this material is useable… the rest is not useable in that way.”

Sherlene Tablada of NEXTERA noted strong community backing, saying “eighty-three-point-four per cent expressed either strong or moderate support for the project”, though noise pollution remained a concern.

We will have the full story on News 5 Live at 6 p.m., only on GBM.