Caribbean Partners Unite in Guadeloupe to Revolutionize Regional Maritime Connectivity
In a significant move toward a more integrated region, partners of the KARULINK project convened in Guadeloupe on June 2 and 3, 2026, for their first Steering Committee meeting. This gathering marks a major milestone for the initiative, which seeks to transform how people and goods move between Caribbean islands.
The KARULINK project is a collaborative effort involving representatives from Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Guadeloupe. The meeting brought together institutional and economic leaders to coordinate the project’s next stages and build a unified vision for regional mobility.
Supported by the European Union under the INTERREG Caribbean Programme 2021–2027, the project is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Its primary goal is to strengthen maritime and economic connectivity by reducing barriers to mobility and promoting exchanges in tourism and commerce.
During the two-day session, partners engaged in professional meetings to discuss several key topics critical to the region’s development:
- New Maritime Routes: Conducting feasibility studies for regular passenger services between the partner territories.
- Intermodality: Improving the connection between different modes of transport to ensure seamless travel.
- Sustainability: Developing environmentally friendly transport solutions to protect the Caribbean’s natural resources.
- Economic Growth: Exploring new opportunities for economic and tourism cooperation across the archipelago.
Collaborative Leadership
The initiative is led by Groupe STEP (Guadeloupe) in partnership with several prominent regional organizations, including the Antigua and Barbuda Chamber of Commerce (ABCC), the Dominica Association of Industry and Commerce (DAIC), and the St. Kitts and Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce (SKNCIC). Local Guadeloupean participation is further bolstered by the Communauté d’Agglomération La Riviera du Levant (CARL) and the Municipality of Bouillante.
As part of the “Towards a More Connected Caribbean” priority, KARULINK aims to deliver practical, sustainable solutions for regional integration. The project is scheduled to continue its implementation through December 31, 2027, signaling a long-term commitment to fostering “people-to-people” exchanges throughout the Caribbean.