Antigua & Barbuda bets big on clean shipping — and Veer is at the helm
Antigua & Barbuda just took a bold, practical step toward becoming the Caribbean’s first fully decarbonized cargo port — signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Veer Group to accelerate deployment of the world’s first ocean-going, zero-emission container ships. Massive congratulations to Danielle Southcott and the Veer team — this is the kind of public–private partnership that turns vision into vessels.
What the MoU unlocks
Under the agreement, the Antigua & Barbuda Port Authority will lay the groundwork for a full green-fuels ecosystem: a dedicated area in the port for producing, storing, and delivering clean fuels, plus the infrastructure for both bunkering (direct fuel delivery to ships) and shore power (“cold ironing”) so vessels can plug in at berth and cut emissions to zero while alongside. Together, these moves position St. John’s as an early refueling and energy hub for next-gen shipping across the region.
Port CEO Darwin Telemaque has been vocal about future-proofing Caribbean ports, and this MoU confirms Antigua & Barbuda’s intent to lead — not follow — the transition, building a more “bankable” environment for green maritime investment and a pathway to fully modernize operations.
Why Veer?
Veer is developing 100-meter, wind-assisted, green hydrogen–enabled container ships designed to meet absolute zero operational emissions. The concept has cleared significant technical and financing milestones already:
Approval in Principle (AiP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for Veer’s design (an important class-society validation step).
A €50M Letter of Intent for project financing to build the first two vessels.
A letter of intent with Fosen Shipyard in Germany for construction preparation.
Behind Veer is CEO Danielle Southcott — a seasoned mariner and entrepreneur who has spent the last decade proving that clean shipping is not just possible, but investable. Today’s MoU gives Veer a home port willing to match that ambition with on-the-ground infrastructure.
What this means for the Caribbean (and beyond)
First-mover advantage: By building fuel production, storage, bunkering and shore-power capacity now, Antigua & Barbuda can become the go-to green refueling stop for cargo and cruise lines facing tightening climate targets. Early availability of green fuels and plug-in power is a powerful attractor. antigua.news
Skills and jobs: The partnership opens the door to specialized training (e.g., hydrogen safety and operations). A regional academy would draw seafarers and port professionals from across the Caribbean and worldwide.
Policy alignment: The move aligns with global decarbonization trajectories in shipping — including the IMO’s strengthened climate framework — and with Antigua & Barbuda’s own net-zero goals.
A modernized, bankable port: Clear demand signals (zero-emission vessels that need clean fuel) plus enabling infrastructure can catalyze private investment and accelerate port modernization.
What’s next
With financing and shipyard LOIs in place, Veer is close to firming construction contracts for its first two vessels — aligning delivery with Antigua & Barbuda’s climate ambitions. On the port side, the near-term to-do list includes scoping and siting the fuel hub, securing partners for fuel production and storage, and building out safe, reliable bunkering and shore-power services. Expect procurement, permitting, and safety case development to run in parallel.
A milestone worth cheering
This is more than a press moment — it is a serious, systems-level commitment that connects vessels, fuels, and port infrastructure into a single, investable pathway. If executed with the same rigor that brought Veer to ABS AiP and financing LOIs, Antigua & Barbuda could become the Caribbean’s lighthouse for clean shipping — showing the world how small island states can lead with speed, clarity, and collaboration.
Brava, Danielle, and bravo to the teams at Veer and the Antigua & Barbuda Port Authority. Here’s to the first zero-emission container ship calling at St. John’s — and to a region ready to power it. 🌊⚓⚡
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