The West Indian Company Limited (WICO)

WICO: St. Thomas's premier cruise ship dock

The West Indian Company Limited (WICO) is a publicly owned company in the United States Virgin Islands that owns and manages the Havensight cruise ship dock, located at Long Bay on St. Thomas. The company presents itself as the territory's premier cruise port and as a relevant economic player through its berthing activities and affiliated services.

With more than a century of history, WICO welcomes approximately 1.5 million passengers and crew members annually from the major cruise lines that call at St. Thomas.

Port infrastructure and services

WICO operates the Havensight Dock and manages a series of facilities and services linked to cruise activity. Its assets include the dock itself, leased warehouses, and holdings in Yacht Haven Grande and the historic Estate Catherineberg.

The company also offers berthing services and affiliated services, and its activity is complemented by the management of commercial and leisure spaces in the port area.

Cruise ship schedules and call coordination

The company publishes cruise ship call schedules with detailed information on expected arrivals. The website shows schedules for September and October 2026, as well as the 2025-2026 seasons (October 2025 to September 2026) and 2026-2027 (October 2026 to September 2027).

In addition, different berthing locations are defined: WICO Dock, IANCH (Inner Anchorage), OANCH (Outer Anchorage), AMSS (Crown Bay South), AMNS (Crown Bay North), AMHP (Crown Bay Homeport) and STJ (St. John, USVI).

History and evolution of the company

Founded in 1912 by Danish shipowner Hans Niels Andersen as a subsidiary of his East Asiatic Company, WICO built the territory's first major shipping dock and introduced electrical service to Charlotte Amalie. In its early days, the company was engaged in the trans-shipment of goods and the supply of coal for steamships, an activity that peaked in 1929 with 135,000 tons sold to some 500 vessels.

In 1914 WICO erected two fuel tanks on the dock, anticipating the shift from coal to oil, and in 1920 it became the main fuel oil supplier for Esso Standard. The company abandoned coal supply in 1952.

Among its milestones are the opening of St. Thomas's first tourist shop in 1936, called Maison Danois, and the construction of seven buildings on seven beaches at K.C. Bay on St. John, which gave rise to Caneel Bay. WICO also operated the ferry service between St. Thomas and St. John.

In 1993, the Government of the U.S. Virgin Islands acquired WICO for $54 million, thereby protecting the territory's main taxpayer. Since then, the company has been publicly owned but privately managed.

Economic impact and tourism development

WICO defines itself as a driving force in the evolution of tourism in the U.S. Virgin Islands and as a leading economic contributor. The company states that its greatest contribution to the territory has been the development of cruise tourism.

Over the past two decades, more than $20 million has been invested in capital projects to maintain and modernize the dock and port. The company works in partnership with the government to strengthen the economy and increase cruise ship calls and berths.

Executive team and governance

The executive team is led by Joseph B. Boschulte as President and CEO, Charlene A. Turnbull as Chief Financial Officer, Desmond Williams as Acting Marine Manager and Joseph Francis as Chief of Security.

The Board of Directors is chaired by Hugo V. Hodge, Jr., with Vincent Richards as Vice Chairman and Roosevelt St. C. David as Secretary. The board is completed by Jennifer Matarangas King, Jason Charles, Prakash “Pash” Daswani and Keith Richards.

Hours and administrative operations

WICO's administrative offices are open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The cashier closes at 3:00 p.m. On holidays, the offices remain closed, although the security and marine departments operate as normal to serve visiting ships.

The holidays on which the administrative offices close include, between January and June: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, St. Thomas Carnival Children's Parade, Memorial Day and Juneteenth. Between July and December: U.S. Virgin Islands Emancipation Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day/Local V.I. Puerto Rico Friendship Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and Thanksgiving 2nd Day.

Location and contact

Phone: (340) 690-1140 · Email: info@wico-ltd.com · Hours: Monday to Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. The cashier closes at 3:00 p.m.