The British Virgin Islands Ports Authority was established by the British Virgin Islands Ports Authority Act, No. 12 of 1990 (the Act), as a separate corporate entity, solely owned by the Government of the Virgin Islands. Prior to the establishment of the Authority, most of its functions were carried out by the Ports and Marine Services Department of the Government.   The Authority began its operations under the Act in January 1991.

The Ports and Marine Services regulations and the related Tariff were saved under the Act and together they governed the operations of the Authority. Later, as a result of a Port Development Project, a tariff study was completed and recommendations were made for revised rates, as well as reconstructing the tariff. Subsequently, the Authority completed a revision of the Regulations incorporating the proposed tariff; said revision approved as the British Virgin Islands Ports Authority Regulations, Statutory Instrument No. 27 of 1995.

The BVI Ports Authority is governed by a Board comprised of a Chairman, Deputy Chairman, five members, and four ex-officio members.

The day to day operations are assessed and actioned by a management team headed by the Managing Director, which oversees nine departments: Administration, Business Development, Human Resources, Finance, Information Systems, Maintenance, Marine, Security and Operations.

In addition to its Managing Director, the Authority’s management teams comprise of a Deputy Managing Director, Financial Comptroller, Deputy Financial Comptroller, Audit Manager, Business Development Manager, Information Systems Manager, Marketing Director, Operations Manager, Maintenance Manager, Marine Manager, Administration Manager, Compliance Manager, Security Manager and Human Resources Manager.

The Authority has affiliations with several regional organisations and serves as a Platinum Associate Member of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association, member of the American Association of Port Authorities, member of the Caribbean Shipping Association and member of Ports Management Association of the Caribbean.