SkyBridge to upgrade Cayman cruising

The Cayman SkyBridge is the result of detailed master plan for the redevelopment of the capital city of George Town and will see the creation of a new cruise port, cargo port while keeping the marine environment intact.

A cable car system will be built to transit 20,000 passengers per hour over a distance of less than a quarter of a mile. It will consist of two terminals, four lines, 43 cars per line, 15 passengers per car and a speed of 5m per second, allowing for fast transit and significantly reduced waiting times for passengers.

GreenTech Group says environmentally, the Cayman SkyBridge will not “destroy the reefs through massive dredging and turbidity issues”, and has the least environmental impact of any proposed cruise berthing solutions.

But, local media reports a number of businesses have questioned the plans, calling for more environmental studies and mitigating the damage to the reefs in the area.

According to the proposed plan, the main towers will sit just outside the reef line and require no dredging of the reeds. There will also be an underwater observatory built into the structure for viewing the marine life and balboa wreck. The cruise piers will sit on the sand bottom also outside the reef life, and will be permanently fixed to the seabed.

The project also includes an integrated 5MW solar array, resulting in a zero carbon footprint. The array will be used to charge standby emergency battery systems and excess electricity will be sold to the national grid.

The proposal is now with the Cayman Islands Government for consideration.