The banana trade represented a significant era in St. Lucia’s economic development. Undoubtedly, Port Castries played a key role in this development with the Geest Banana Shed at Berth 6 being the storage facility for the thousands of boxes of bananas before they set sail on their weekly journey to Europe. Amidst this very important economic activity, the Shed also played a key role in St. Lucia’s Carnival Celebrations as it was transformed into the official “Carnival City” by night and on weekends. Long before the National Cultural Centre was erected at Barnard Hill, the Geest Banana Shed functioned as the home of Calypso Finals, King and Queen of the Bands and the Carnival Queen Show. That’s where Lydia Lubin‐Theobalds was crowned Carnival Queen in 1981; Educator, won his first Calypso King title in the same year singing “Meme Kon Arrow” and “Caribbean Unity”.

As the key point of export for the island’s banana crop, the Geest Banana Shed became something of a national treasure. On a typical ‘banana day’, the La Toc road would be lined with trucks filled to capacity with ‘green gold’ as Bananas were called in those days. It was something of a ritual with farmers arriving in the wee hours to be among the first to get on the weighbridge to have their bananas weighed and inspected.

As the island’s banana export quotas decreased substantially through the years, so did the level of activity at the Geest Banana Shed. By the late 1990’s Port Vieux Fort became the main export point for Bananas while the one‐time very busy Geest Banana Shed became highly under utilized. In contrast, the Ferry trade between St. Lucia and Martinique was booming which occasioned the need for a facility to accommodate the hundreds of passengers embarking and disembarking on a weekly basis. In response, SLASPA converted part of the shed into a full‐fledged Ferry Terminal. The transition would require meticulous planning as the facility would have to be converted from handling Bananas to Passengers. SLASPA’s Operations and Engineering Departments spearheaded this transition process as they proudly delivered one of Port Castries’ most notable transformations. The finished product could be compared to the work of a mythical Ferry God Mother who had just waived her magic wand.

The former Banana Shed and entertainment center came alive once more as the first passengers were welcomed in September 2004. Since then, the Ferry Terminal has seen heavy traffic with two main Ferry Lines operating up to three services per week between St. Lucia and Martinique. The facility, which measures 1,784 square meters, boasts a spacious arrival hall with a holding capacity of 280 persons, Customs, Immigration, Quarantine and Veterinary Services, Baggage Collection and Security Screening facilities. The Departure area, which seats 350 passengers, is well ventilated with a restaurant and refreshment bar. Other services include office space for Customs and Immigration, an ATM Machine, a meet / greet area and designated parking for pick‐up and drop‐off as well as taxi service.

Two Ferry Lines operate at the Terminal, providing weekly service to Martinique, Dominica, Guadeloupe
and St. Lucia.

For more information on the Ferry Terminal, visit www.slaspa.com or call 453‐0437.