The British Virgin Islands Ports Authority (BVIPA) is almost ready to launch its Online Cruise Ship Booking service and is currently training shipping agents how to use the new system.

On Wednesday, shipping agents from Romney and Associates attended a brief training session at the BVIPA’s conference room, where they learned more about the new online service.

Regarding the new system, BVIPA Information Technology (IT) Manage Shakira Skelton commented: “The online portal is an efficient way in creating and managing bookings. It provides a more streamlined process in receiving requests, while at the same time, provides agents with confirmation in a much shorter time.”

In speaking about the current booking system, Operations Manager Mr. Akeem Pickering said: “Currently, shipping agents apply for berths via email and fax, or come in to the Port Purcell office and fill them out. While this has worked fine thus far, it still isn’t as time efficient as we would like at the Authority. Also, the new system will better record and organize requests in a more efficient way than the other methods can.”

The operations manager also shared that eventually, the new system will also offer online bookings for cargo vessels, a move that he said will “further enhance BVIPA’s service offerings.”

The cruise ship online booking is in line with the BVI Ports Authority’s mandate to use cutting edge technology to provide superior quality seaport facilities and services.