Transport and Works Minister, Robert Pickersgill, signs the contract for the management of the Kingston Container Terminal, while Noel Hylton, president and chief executive officer of the Port Authority of Jamaica (left), and Peder Sondergaard, vice-president of AP Moller, APM Terminals look on. The signing took place recently at the Le Meridien Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston. THE PORT Authority of Jamaica and APM Terminals recently signed the contract under which APM Terminals (Jamaica) Limited will manage and operate the Kingston Container Terminal (KCT) at Port Bustamante for an initial period of five years.
Signing the contract at the Le Meridien Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in St. Andrew, were Transport and Works Minister, Robert Pickersgill; Noel Hylton, president and chief executive officer of the PAJ; Carol Pickersgill, vice-president for Legal Services and secretary of the Port Authority Board, and Peder Sondergaard, vice-president of AP Moller, APM Terminals.
In addition to the operations and management, the performance-based contract includes specific references to productivity targets to be measured by the container moves, operational costs and equipment maintenance and reliability; port security through co-operation with trading partners and international organisations, to ensure the protection of life and property, as well as prevention and detection of illicit drugs and contraband.
The contract also refers to profitable growth, client service, technological innovation and training and calls for collaboration between the Port Authority and APM Terminals in management staffing, marketing, security and disaster preparedness.
In his remarks, the Minister said: "The Government is very optimistic about the future of the country's emerging maritime industry and the container terminal in particular, which is the centrepiece of the Industry. We are confident that the partnership now forged with APM terminal will produce results to the mutual benefit of both partners as well as our clients."
The APM vice-president said APM Terminals Jamaica Limited was established as a joint venture with Amalgamated Stevedoring Company, whose owners included AE Parnell and Company Limited, Jamaica Fruit and Shipping Limited and Transocean Shipping, who were experienced and reputed companies in the Jamaican shipping industry.
He said the joint venture would ensure that "we apply the best global practices developed over more than 25 years at our global portfolio of container terminals in a way that is carefully adapted to meet the local requirements in Kingston."
Last year, APM Terminal was selected from a shortlist of six Jamaican companies and international operators based on its world-class expertise and technology, international customer base and excellent track record in international port operations.
