Designs to extend King’s Wharf in Dockyard to better service visiting cruise ships have been submitted to the Department of Planning.

The application, submitted on behalf of the Government and the Bermuda Land Management Corporation, proposed extending the deck on both sides of the existing terminal building, bringing King’s Wharf in line with the neighbouring Heritage Wharf.

It was previously announced that the project, expected to begin in October and be completed by March 2026, would cost about $22 million and be fully funded by Norwegian Cruise Lines as part of a port infrastructure upgrade initiative.

The application said: “The proposed upgrades to King’s Wharf cruise ship terminal in the Royal Naval Dockyard are intended to better meet the needs of the cruise industry — a vital component of Bermuda’s tourism sector.

“The existing deck measures approximately 91 metres long, flanked by berthing dolphins approximately 35 metres to each side.

“The proposed works would extend the main concrete deck and replace the dolphins while remaining within the same operational footprint.”

The application added that the proposal would allow for safer berthing and mooring, greater flexibility in vessel positioning, allow faster loading and unloading of passengers, and safer discharge of waste.

The application said that while the facility would primarily service visiting NCL vessels, it will also be available to other operators, increasing the ability for vessels to “share” the facility.

“The north arm is a man-made structure and so there is no further disruption to natural coastline,” the planning documents said. “Piled foundations minimise the disturbed footprint of the wharf and allow flushing/circulation.

“While the proposal would increase shaded area, the rubble slope is not supportive of seagrasses. Indeed the protection afforded may act as a nursery environment for many species.”

The document added that a wider variety of fish and soft coral can be found under the existing wharf than on the adjacent, exposed rock revetment.

A second planning application also proposed work to extend the excursion dock at King’s Wharf to “better meet the needs of the cruise industry”.

The application said: “Transportation out of Dockyard has been identified as a major obstacle to visitors and restricts the impact of the tourist dollar.

“The excursion dock extension will provide safe and convenient berthing for the Spirit of St George tender vessel, delivering cruise passengers to multiple destinations across the island.

“Furthermore, the inside of the north arm is experiencing accelerated deterioration. The extension of the excursion dock will incorporate stabilisation of the north arm, work that would need to occur regardless of the functional improvements.”

The planning documents added that the appearance of the extension would be “largely congruent” with the structure already in place.

“The facility is used by tour vessels taking cruise passengers on excursions,” the application said.

“Tender berthing would impact their operations. The extension will be multifunctional and allow future sharing.”