business@tribunemedia.net
Thursday, April 2, 2026
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Boating fee reforms ‘might save summer’ BY NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE Association of Bahamas Marinas (ABM) president is asserting that long-awaited boating fee reforms “might just save our summer season” after the Government delivered on the Prime Minister’s end-February pledge to create two new cruising permit fee categories with reduced levies. Peter Maury told Tribune Business that marina operators, supporting industries and even boating tourists themselves were initially unsure whether the changes - unveiled by Bahamas Customs late on Tuesday night - were “an April Fool’s joke” with many nervously waiting to see how vessel clearance will be dealt with following yesterday’s implementation. The reforms to the Customs Management regulations, the product of more than three months of negotiations between the private sector
Marinas, tourism ‘ecstatic’ on new permit lengths, lower fees ABM president says some thought move was ‘April Fool’s joke’ ‘Big boost’ for Bimini with anchorage fee set-up also reformed and Ministry of Finance, create two new classes of cruising permit fees - one for short-term stays of 30 days or less, and the other covering six months or less. The 30-day fees for vessels less than 50 feet in length are between 50-70 percent lower than those associated with the pre-existing one-year permit. Tourism sources told this newspaper that the shorter-term permits, especially the one for 30 days’ duration, “will definitely help Bimini with the weekend warriors”. It will also benefit other northern Bahamas islands
whose boating visitor markets are largely made-up of short stay visitors on smaller boats, such as centre consoles, but were deterred by the new and increased fees introduced with last May’s Budget. Besides the two new cruising permit categories, the Government has also sought to clear-up confusion over whether the anchorage fees implemented with the 20252026 Budget apply to both vessels docked in marinas or those anchored out. Materials issued to Customs officers plainly state that these fees must only be paid by the
PETER MAURY latter, adding: “Only pleasure vessels entering that are not docking at a marina are subject to anchorage fees.” Mr Maury said Customs’ previous position of levying anchorage fees on boats docked in marinas, despite last May’s Budget amendments stipulating they only applied to vessels “not mooring at a marina”, had only deepened confusion surrounding the reforms and provided a further disincentive to visit The Bahamas. However, the Government
A MARINA operator yesterday hailed the Government’s boating fee reforms as being “like a Christmas present” that will generate renewed optimism for an industry grappling with uncertainty and reduced business volumes. Stephen Kappeler, of Bimini Big Game Club Resort and Marina, said the creation of two new short-stay cruising permit categories - one for a 30-day stay, the other for six months’ duration - coupled with lower fees for this and
anchorage compared to the 12-momth approval, will benefit the entire Bahamas and especially businesses in the Family Islands that rely heavily on marine traffic. He added that the announcement came just as industry stakeholders were returning from the West Palm Beach Boat Show, where concerns about the fee structure had been a dominant topic among boaters and marina operators alike. “It’s like a Christmas present,” Mr Kappeler said. “We just came back from the West Palm Beach Boat Show. I flew back today after attending with the Ministry of Tourism
and about 14 other resorts and marinas. We had really good representation. “No matter what people were thinking about the fees, there was a lot of attendance at the show, a lot of interest, but also concern. All we could do was stay positive that it was being looked at, and then, one day later, I’m greeted this morning with great news.” The Government announced the reduction in boating fees took effect from yesterday, April 1, a move that has been welcomed by stakeholders who argued the previous structure risked driving business to competing destinations.
BACSWN executive named as the ambassador to ICAO THE chief operating officer at Bahamas Aviation, Climate & Severe Weather Network (BACSWN), Michael Strachan, has been appointed Ambassador to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), a United Nations agency which helps 193 counties operate together and share their skies to their mutual benefit. Mr Strachan, who has an 18-year career in financial services and aviation, assisted with BACSWN’s landmark Heads of Agreement signing with the Government last year. “I’m extremely excited for the opportunity to serve the country in this capacity to work along with the relevant industry stakeholders
MICHAEL STRACHAN in civil aviation, and the other relevant bodies that encompass the civil aviation sector,” Mr Strachan said of his appointment. “The appointment, in my mind, signifies the ability of young Bahamian professionals to ensure that
FLIGHT - See Page B3
Easter bun sales up 50% amid VAT, fuel concerns BY ANNELIA NIXON Tribune Business Reporter anixon@tribunemedia.net BAHAMIAN bakeries yesterday said they still fear an increase in their input costs from food stores increasing prices due to the VAT elimination on uncooked foods being treated as ‘exempt’ rather than ‘zero rated’. Michael Turner, proprietor of Jumper Brothers Bakery, maintaining his stance that the move to eliminate VAT on uncooked foods was well-intentioned,
said that with wholesalers and grocery stores unable to recover VAT paid on their input costs it is inevitable that they will raise prices. While he does not expect an immediate proce rise, he believes it will come eventually. “I think that's a good thing. I don't know how long it will last but the wholesaler or the food store, when they purchase, they still have to pay VAT on it, so I really don't know yet,” he said. “I'm still watching with all anticipation to see
SEASONAL - See Page B3
SIR FRANKLYN WILSON
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DIONISIO D’AGUILAR
Fuel price increase ‘terrible news’ but ‘fundamentals are in Bahamas favour’ Sir Franklyn: ‘Thank God’ US proxmity gives ‘benefit angle Says Bahamas and world are facing ‘unprecedented times’ Superwash holding prices despite hit to 30% of cost base BY NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
Mr Kappeler said the impact of the fee reduction will extend well beyond marinas themselves, boosting broader economic activity throughout the islands. “Every Bahamian cash register on these islands, especially in the Out Islands, is going to benefit from what has happened here,” he added. While welcoming the move, Mr Kappeler added that the previous fee increases had posed challenges for the sector and highlighted the need for a more sustainable approach to maritime business development.
A BAHAMIAN businessman yesterday branded the jump in local fuel prices “terrible news” but asserted that this could be counter-balanced by the country’s economic fundamentals that “always work in our favour” during times of crisis. Sir Franklyn Wilson, the Arawak Homes and Sunshine Holdings chairman, told Tribune Business that The Bahamas’ proximity to the US and the market that generates 90 percent of its tourists may again come to its rescue and help to offset the economic fall-out from the Middle East conflict that is now being felt through soaring fuel and energy costs. The country’s location, he added, being so close to its top visitor market may counter the impact of increased air fare and travel costs in comparison to more far-flung destinations, as well as fit the bill on security concerns as it is a considerable distance from the war zone. The Bahamas may also benefit from the fact that travellers, especially during times of economic and other stresses, like to remain close to home. Acknowledging that it is impossible to predict how long the Middle East conflict will last, and how widespread it could become, Sir Franklyn told this newspaper: “The bad news is, of course, in the short run this [skyrocketing gas prices] is terrible news. The fact of the
ADJUSTING - See Page B8
MITIGATE- See Page B7
SAILING - See Page B4
Boating fee reforms ‘like a present for Christmas’ BY FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net
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