By Dionne Rose, Staff Reporter 
Peter Ford (left), general manager of APM Terminals Jamaica, in conversation with Lin Honghong of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Delegation during a tour of APM Terminals at Port Bustamante in Kingston yesterday. Looking on are Vivien Chen and Zhenge Zhao, head of a Chinese business delegation in Jamaica. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer
THE PORT Authority of Jamaica and a Chinese shipping line have entered into an agreement to study the feasibility of further developing Jamaica's trans-shipment terminal and the development of a logistics centre.
Noel Hylton, president of the Port Authority of Jamaica, said that the agreement was formalised on Thursday with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with China Ocean Shipping Company (COSCO).
Mr. Hylton disclosed details of the agreement yesterday to reporters after a tour of the APM Terminal at Port Bustamante in Kingston with a 50-member Chinese delegation.
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
"We signed a memorandum of understanding with COSCO, which is the Chinese national shipping line to examine with us the further development of the trans-shipment terminal and also the development of our logistic centre, " Mr. Hylton said.
He said the shipping line would be conducting a feasibility study by the second quarter of the year.
Mr. Hylton said, "We are anxious to develop a logistic centre for the region and I am hopeful this is the start of this development."
Meanwhile, the PAJ president divulged that the organisation would sign the first agreement yesterday with ZIM Israel Lines for the opening of the first business in the logistic centre.
EXPLORING POSSIBILITIES
Mr. Hylton said yesterday's tour of the terminal was to "demonstrate the capabilities of the port of Kingston, to demonstrate that we are among the largest port in the world, to demonstrate that we have the capability of operating at world standard and to start exploring possibilities for business."
The Chinese delegation comprised senior managers and chief executive officers representing 13 industries in that country. These included telecommunications, machinery, electronics and the construction and agricultural sectors.
Zhenge Zhao, head of the delegation, said that the group members were very impressed with what they have seen at the ports.
He said, "We are really excited to see the facility provided here.
