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2026 WILLARD S. JOHN - NOMINEE VIRGIN ISLANDS PORT AUTHORITY BOARD OF GOVERNORS TESTIMONY Testimony of Willard S. John – VIPA Board Member Nominee February 10, 2026 Table of Contents Professional Background ........................................................................................ 2 ABOUT VIPA .............................................................................................................. 3 Funding Port Operations ......................................................................................... 3 The VIPA Board ...................................................................................................... 4 PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS - SEAPORTS ............................................................ 5 Ann E. Abramson Marine Facility (Frederiksted Pier) ................................................. 5 Partnership with Royal Caribbean ........................................................................... 5 Wilfred “Bomba” Allick Port and Transshipment Center (the Containerport)............... 6 PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP - AIRPORTS ............................................................... 6 Modernizing our Airport Terminals & Improving Air Travel Experience ......................... 6 ST. CROIX CAPITAL PORT INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS .. Error! Bookmark not defined. Schooner Bay and the Gallows Bay Marine Facility ................................................... 7 New Terminals at the Molasses Pier and the Containerport ....................................... 8 Conclusion ............................................................................................................... 9 Testimony of Willard S. John – VIPA Board Member Nominee February 10, 2026 Good morning, esteemed Chairwoman Carla Joseph of the 36th Legislature’s Committee on Rules and Judiciary; Honorable Vice Chairman Kenneth L. Gittens; distinguished Members of the Virgin Islands Legislature; dedicated legislative staff; and community members who are here or participating remotely. Professional Background I am Willard S. John, the current chairman of the Virgin Islands Board of Governors and representative of the St. Croix District. My term expires in April 2026. I am a retired educator with 38 years of service in the Virgin Islands Department of Education, where I held various positions, including Vocational Counselor, Cultural Education Specialist, Coordinator of the St. Croix Adult Education Center, Coordinator of the St. Croix Skill Center, Assistant Principal, and Principal of the St. Croix Educational Complex High School. I have been a member of the Rotary Club of St. Croix Mid-Isle for 30 years and serve on the Board of Directors of the Frederiksted Federal Credit Union. I am also a board member of the St. Croix Foundation for Community Development. My other activities and credentials include serving as the founder and Artistic Director of the Guardians of Culture Moko Jumbies for the past 30 years. As a cultural ambassador, I have represented the Virgin Islands worldwide, promoting VI culture. I am also the president of Jumbie Productions Inc., a company that specializes in entertainment Testimony of Willard S. John – VIPA Board Member Nominee February 10, 2026 booking, event management, film location management, production services, and consulting. As a culture bearer actively engaged in various aspects of our tourism industry, I bring extensive experience and cultural knowledge to the board. This expertise can help develop policies and initiatives to enhance the travel and tourism sector in our territory. ABOUT VIPA The Virgin Islands Port Authority is a crucial component of the U.S. Virgin Islands' economy. Our objective is to upgrade port infrastructure, enhance cargo, cruise, and inter-island ferry services, ensure the safety of aviation and maritime activities, and boost economic benefits across the Territory. The Authority was created by the Virgin Islands legislature as an independent agency that funds its own operations. Funding Port Operations VIPA generates its operating income through user fees and rental charges imposed on users of its airports and marine facilities located on St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. The agency is intended to be financially independent and does not receive or contribute any funds to the USVI government. Grants from federal and state governments are awarded to the Authority to aid its Testimony of Willard S. John – VIPA Board Member Nominee February 10, 2026 capital construction initiatives, contingent upon VIPA meeting all eligibility criteria. Additionally, the federal government approves Passenger Facility Charges (PFCs) to support airport projects exclusively. Any improvements related to the USVI’s airports must receive approval from the Federal Aviation Administration. The VIPA Board The Virgin Islands Port Authority is governed by a nine-member board that sets agency policies. The executive director is responsible for implementing these policies and managing the day-to-day operations. As a board member, I helped establish policies for the Authority’s aviation and marine divisions, as well as its operations and financial policies. The Port Authority is in a transitional phase as it prepares to partner with private companies to develop and enhance its aviation and cruise facilities across both districts. In my testimony today, I will provide a brief overview of the Authority’s current public-private partnerships and projects to improve port infrastructure in St. Croix. VIPA Board Nominee will provide testimony relative to the projects in St. John, and Board Member Celestino White Sr. will testify regarding projects in St. Thomas. Testimony of Willard S. John – VIPA Board Member Nominee February 10, 2026 PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS - SEAPORTS Ann E. Abramson Marine Facility (Frederiksted Pier) The project to expand and rebuild the damaged tender pier landing at the Frederiksted cruise port has also been significantly completed. The pier has been expanded to 80 feet by 50 feet and replaces the structure damaged in the 2017 hurricanes. This landing pier serves as an auxiliary pier for cruise passengers and is used for cruise excursions, dive boat operators, and local fishermen. Partnership with Royal Caribbean VIPA is dedicated to enhancing the cruise industry in the Territory and increasing visitor numbers - particularly in St. Croix. During the 2022-2023 cruise ship season, St. Croix welcomed 67 cruise ships. For the 2025-2026 season, St. Croix is scheduled to receive 112 ships, with the majority of these visits coming from Royal Caribbean and its affiliated vessels. VIPA is committed to ensuring that St. Croix continues to benefit from cruise tourism and remains a vital part of its overall port strategy. Carnival Cruise Line has traditionally been the leader in bringing cruise passengers to the territory. However, in 2025, Royal Caribbean surpassed Carnival in cruise visitors. This shift is a direct result of VIPA's successful business relationship with Royal Caribbean, which is enhancing the territory's cruise industry. Testimony of Willard S. John – VIPA Board Member Nominee February 10, 2026 Wilfred “Bomba” Allick Port and Transshipment Center (the Containerport) VIPA successfully partnered with Tropical Shipping and Crowley to apply for and was awarded a $21.9 million grant from the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) in October 2020. The grant will be used to repair and modernize the cargo handling and storage infrastructure at the Crown Bay Sandfill Cargo facility. In November 2023, MARAD announced that the territory was awarded an additional $22 million for repairs and improvements to the Wilfred “Bomba” Allick Port and Transshipment Center in St. Croix, known locally as the Container Port. This grant was applied for by VIPA and Tropical Shipping. The bulkhead at this facility will be rehabilitated, and the concrete apron will be restored. The cargo storage areas are also slated for reconstruction. The project also includes security improvements at the port, such as lighting, fencing, and fire protection. This project is currently in the design phase. PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP - AIRPORTS Modernizing our Airport Terminals & Improving Air Travel Experience The airport terminals in St. Croix and St. Thomas are scheduled for significant modernization through a Public-Private Partnership (P3) with VIports Partners, now known as SkyCity VI. The project, managed by SkyCity, aims to enhance the Cyril E. Testimony of Willard S. John – VIPA Board Member Nominee February 10, 2026 King Airport and the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport by introducing modern amenities, attracting retailers, and improving operations and the traveler experience. Ownership will remain with the VI Port Authority, which will maintain certifications and receive FAA grants. This year, VIPA, and SkyCity VI will finalize a lease agreement and plan to hold public engagement meetings to update the community and aviation stakeholders. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS – ST. CROIX Schooner Bay and the Gallows Bay Marine Facility The Jacksonville District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is conducting a feasibility study for the navigation of Christiansted Harbor to determine if the channel should be dredged to facilitate the berthing of mini-cruise ships at the Gallows Bay Marine Facility. The Corps is preparing an Integrated Feasibility Study and a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) document to address concerns related to maneuverability, dimensions, and safety in both the Schooner Channel and Gallows Bay at Christiansted Harbor, located in St. Croix, United States Virgin Islands. Upon completion of the study, the Corps will present its findings to the Virgin Islands Port Authority, and the results will be shared with the public. VIPA is preparing to transition all cargo activity from Gallows Bay to the Gordon A. Finch Molasses Pier. The bids for the demolition of the old warehouses at Testimony of Willard S. John – VIPA Board Member Nominee February 10, 2026 the Gallows Bay port are expected to be released in the coming months. This will enable the Virgin Islands Port Authority (VIPA) to fully transfer cargo operations from the Gallows Bay Dock in Christiansted to the Molasses Pier, thereby repurposing Gallows Bay exclusively for ferry services and luxury vessels. New Terminals at the Molasses Pier and the Containerport After the construction of the new terminals at the Gordon A. Finch Molasses Pier and the Wilfred “Bomba” Allick Port and Transshipment Center (the Containerport) on St. Croix was completed, the Virgin Islands Port Authority faced delays in fully transitioning tenants to the new cargo facilities. These delays resulted from post-construction coordination, operational readiness checks, and logistical planning specific to each tenant. These issues have now been addressed, and tenants are preparing to relocate to both facilities. All bays at the Gordon Finch Molasse Pier are currently occupied. The newly constructed terminal at the Wilfred Allick Port and Transshipment Center features ten bays, all of which are fully occupied by Tropical Shipping, Benton Construction, and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency. Once fully operational, the Molasses Pier and Containerport will function at full capacity, improving St. Croix’s cargo-handling capabilities. Customs is also Testimony of Willard S. John – VIPA Board Member Nominee February 10, 2026 committed to providing one-stop service for the convenience of the residents of St. Croix Conclusion As noted previously in this testimony, VIPA is undergoing a significant transformation. By making strategic investments, practicing sound fiscal management, and committing to resilience and innovation, VIPA will remain a vital economic engine for the Territory. We appreciate the ongoing support from the Legislature and the Bryan/Roach Administration. The Port Authority’s Board and management look forward to continued collaboration to achieve our shared goals of sustainable growth, community prosperity, and global competitiveness. VIPA remains committed to enhancing the efficiency, safety, and economic contribution of our ports and related facilities for the people and businesses of the U.S. Virgin Islands. I remain available to answer any questions you may have. Respectfully submitted, Willard S. John VIPA Board Chairman