Indefinite injunction stops Stake Bank cruise port

The controversy over the twice promised Belize City cruise port continues to wallow in the heavy seas of politics and economics. The latest development is that the temporary injunction granted to developer Luke Espat and his Port Loyola cruise terminal has been extended indefinitely. The ruling by Justice Minnet Hafiz Bertram prohibits Government from issuing any permits to the Feinstein Group to proceed with their cruise terminal at Stake Bank. Today in court Solicitor General Edwin Flowers, appearing on behalf of G.O.B., did not offer any reason why the injunction should be lifted. Espat has argued that according to his contract to purchase the Belize City Port, no other port can operate without his permission and also that under the Port Authority Act his company, has the exclusive right to collect port fees, including those due from cruise ships. It is understood that the competing businessmen, along with Government, have been negotiating to work out a compromise but no agreement has yet been reached. In the meantime, the major cruise lines have let it be known that the lack of a proper docking facility will eventually lead to the curtailment or abandonment of Belize City as a cruise destination.