Cozumel, Q.R. — Company Muelles del Caribe has announced a temporary adjournment in their intention to construct a fourth pier. On Tuesday, the company issued a notice stating they are stepping back to strengthen their environmental measures, but intend to resume the project in the future.
“We will strengthen environmental measures and address the concerns of some sectors of the Cozumel community so that this project fully meets its objective of generating sustainable, long-term benefits for regional growth.”
The notice of a “technical pause” was released after discussions with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources and other relevant agencies.
During her July 4 visit to the region, Alicia Bárcena Ibarra, head of Semarnat (National Commission for the Protection of the Environment and Natural Resources) commented that subject to legal regulations, the planned fourth cruise ship dock for Cozumel entailed “more problems than solutions.”
In a statement released Tuesday, Muelles del Caribe made it clear that they are not giving up on the project, stating that a fourth pier has the potential to be “an essential driver of economic investment and the generation of new opportunities for the region, as well as attracting capital to consolidate Cozumel as a top-tier destination in the international cruise industry.”
“Muelles del Caribe, S.A. de C.V., following a constructive dialogue with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources and other environmental authorities and involved entities, reports that it has decided to establish a technical pause in the construction of the fourth cruise ship pier in Cozumel.
“This decision reflects our firm commitment to social, environmental and corporate responsibility,and reaffirms our dedication to the sustainable economic development of the island of Cozumel and the state of Quintana Roo.
“We recognize the strategic importance of this project as an essential driver of economic investment and its potential to generate new opportunities for the region, attract capital, strengthen tourism infrastructure and consolidate Cozumel as a top-tier destination in the international cruise industry.
“This pause represents an opportunity to strengthen environmental measures and address the concerns of some sectors of the Cozumel community, so that this project fully meets its objective of generating sustainable, long-term benefits for regional growth.
“We reiterate our full willingness to maintain an open and ongoing dialogue, addressing both the legitimate concerns of civil society and the guidelines of municipal, state and federal authorities.
“We firmly trust that, through the combined efforts and active participation of all stakeholders involved, and with transparent, timely and technically sound information, it will be possible to consolidate a project that significantly contributes to the social well-being and economic development of the entire region,” the statement reads.
The project, which is now officially on hold, consists of an L-shaped dock covering 1.16 hectares with capacity for 362 meter-long ships. Construction of the so-called fourth Cozumel pier has been criticized by environmental and political sectors due to Villa Blanca Reef damage.
On July 17, Cozumel Mayor José Luis Chacón Méndez confirmed that City Hall had sent a letter to federal officials clarifying they will not provide approval to expand the SSA Mexico Pier.
