Cargo activity at the Antigua and Barbuda Port Authority has increased by 9 percent this year, with 17,976 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) handled as of October — a sign the government says reflects strengthening consumer demand and rising economic confidence.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne highlighted the figures while presenting the 2026 national budget on Thursday, pointing to the steady uptick in imported goods as evidence of expanding household consumption and increased commercial activity across the country.
“The rise in port cargo volumes shows that our economy is not only growing — our people are spending, businesses are expanding, and demand remains strong,” Browne told Parliament. He said the port’s performance demonstrates broad-based economic momentum, tied to growth in tourism, construction, retail and services.
Cargo imports include building materials, appliances, vehicles, food supplies, manufacturing inputs and consumer goods — categories that officials say tend to rise when household incomes and private-sector confidence improve. Browne linked the trend to the country’s employment levels, noting that more than 54,000 people are now working and unemployment has fallen below 5 percent.
The Prime Minister said stronger port performance also reflects the country’s improved fiscal conditions, with a primary surplus of $254.9 million and projected 5 percent economic growth for 2026. “People are buying vehicles again, they are building homes, they are investing,” he said, describing imports as a reliable indicator of economic health.
Officials say the Antigua Port Modernisation Project — including expanded berths, upgraded cargo handling equipment and improved digital systems — has helped streamline operations and reduce turnaround times, allowing the port to handle increased volumes more efficiently.
The port is expected to surpass 20,000 TEUs by year-end if current trends continue.
Budget debate continues next week.
