CPA caps ports week celebration

Hundreds of Saipan residents trooped to Saipan Harbor Saturday to participate in a whole-day public tour of military ships to cap the celebration of the CNMI Ports Week.

Port of Saipan management waived parking fees to allow visitors easy access to the harbor facilities including several booths that were erected to give free lectures on various commodities.

Tents were also set up to allow seaport tenants to present their wares and educate the public on various merchandise.

A thanksgiving banquet, organized by the Commonwealth Ports Authority, was also held to recognize the contributions of the shipping industry to the overall growth of the Commonwealth economy.

Saipan Seaport Manager Tony Cabrera together with CPA Board Chair Roman S. Palacios graced the appreciation banquet at the Saipan Stevedore warehouse to acknowledge the support rendered by visiting US servicemen.

More than 600 American sailors on board USS Gary and USS Chancellorsville are currently on island for a 10-day rest and recreation stop over.

More than $25 million in total revenues have been generated by the CNMI government from the anchorage of 59 military vessels at the Port of Saipan since the completion of the Saipan Harbor Improvement Project.

Association of Seaport Tenants and Operators of Saipan President Alex Sablan said the shipping industry has generated more than $25 million revenues for the government’s coffer since the completion of the harbor project.

In 1997 and 1998, only four military ships — the USS Thatch and USS Juneau which anchored at Charlie Dock and USS Blue Ridge and USS San Jose that moored at the North Baker Dock respectively — called the Port of Saipan.

CPA recorded increased in activities at the international seaport in 1999, after the shortly after the completion of the harbor improvement project.

At least 17 military vessels stopped over at North Baker Dock, Charlie Dock and outer anchorage in 1999. Last year, the seaport saw a major increase in the arrival of military vessels with over 32 R & R visits.

Four military vessels have called the Port of Saipan so far this year and more military vessels are expected to visit the islands for rest and recreation within the year.

Of the 59 military visits, USNS San Jose visited the island five times; USNS Spica, five times; USS Vandigrift, four times; USS John S. McCain, three times; USNS Flint, three times; USNS Kiska, four times, and USS Cushing, three times. (EGA)