Grand Bahama Shipyard’s East End dry dock begins cruise operations
The new floating dock entered commercial service in January 2026 as part of a redevelopment programme valued by the shipyard at US$600 million.
Grand Bahama Shipyard’s East End floating dry dock has completed its first cruise repair season after beginning commercial operations in January 2026. The facility is the first of two new floating docks ordered for the Freeport shipyard.
Built by Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation, East End arrived at Freeport Harbour on November 22, 2025. It lifted its first vessel, Carnival Corporation’s Carnival Elation, on January 16, 2026.
Carnival Elation underwent planned technical and statutory maintenance before returning to service as scheduled on February 9. Grand Bahama Shipyard said the new dock has restored and increased its capacity to handle multiple cruise vessels at the same time.
East End is 357.39 metres long and 70 metres wide, with 59 metres of clear space between its walls. It is rated to lift 93,500 tonnes.
The dock forms part of a redevelopment programme that the shipyard valued at US$600 million in 2025. The programme covers two docks built in China, delivery and commissioning in Freeport, and shoreside work including a pier extension. Chief Executive Chris Earl said the larger second dock, Lucayan, was expected later in 2026.