The CMA CGM Yantian was the first CMA CGM vessel to call at the refurbished North Terminal at Port Bustamante. The occasion was celebrated with a commemorative presentation by Rosalee Donaldson (third left), marketing manager of the Port Authority of Jamaica, to David Ayre (second right), master m/v of CMA CGM Yantian. Also in photo are (from left) Paul Sailsman, boarding officer; Captain Diedrich Suendermann, CMA CGM port captain and David Yee Sing, general manager, CMA CGM Jamaica Limited. - CONTRIBUTED
THE PORT of Kingston climbed 11 places in 2004 to rank 56th in the world's top 300 ports, according to Containerisation International, the premier news and information service for the container industry.
"For Jamaica to have moved up 11 places in the course of one year is proof that we are doing a number of things right," stated Harry Maragh, president of the Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ).
SECURITY, SAFETY AND PRODUCTIVITY
Mr. Maragh noted that "all partners in the Jamaica's shipping industry have been working together to make significant advances in security, safety and productivity at our port. Our success in recording improvements in these key areas is reflected in the enhancement of our international reputation, as well as in strengthening our position as the Caribbean's number one Port."
SECURITY ISPS CODE
In the area of security, the Port Authority of Jamaica has invested heavily in state-of-the-art X-ray and gamma-ray equipment to sharply reduce the flow of illicit cargo, arms and other illegal contraband through the ports of Jamaica. The SAJ made a substantial financial contribution to this effort and also continues to be an active partner in strategies to secure the industry. The SAJ maintains a canine service to strengthen the fight against illegal drugs.
By placing priority on security improvements, the Port of Kingston gained certification under the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code ahead of the July 1, 2004 deadline, making Port Bustamante among the first ports in the hemisphere to have gained such certification.
SAFETY
It is a policy of the SAJ and the Port Authority of Jamaica to maintain a very high standard of safe working conditions and practices at our ports and environs. To this end, a high-level safety committee operates at an oversight level to assist in the prevention of accidents and injuries through careful identification and elimination of causes, and the promotion of safety consciousness among all employees and users of the port.
The safety committee has installed and upgraded safety signs throughout the port and conducts regular training programmes for all workers at Port Bustamante. At another level, the Joint Industrial Committee for Port Bustamante, which includes the SAJ, its members and the unions representing port workers BITU, TUC, UPWU has submitted proposals for the Occupational Health and Safety Act that is being drafted for enactment.
PRODUCTIVITY
The quality and efficiency of our port's personnel and equipment are major reasons for Kingston's improving position as one of the world's leading ports. While the Port Authority of Jamaica has been instrumental in carrying out the development plan for the Kingston Container Terminal, the Shipping Association of Jamaica has been busy upgrading the skills of stevedores and other port employees.
Kingston Wharves, the region's most advanced mixed cargo facility, has also made huge investments in technological systems, equipment and personnel with a view to increasing productivity, while keeping the issues of security and safety as key performance objectives.
Over the past year, more than 100 port workers received training in specialised areas, including winch operations; gantry crane and straddle equipment operations and motor vehicle driving (for loading/unloading). Importantly, the SAJ is now involved in the training of stevedore coordinators, the highest international port worker category. The SAJ's strategic partnership with the Caribbean Maritime Institute (CMI) and APM Terminals Limited is instrumental to the success of most of these programmes.
NEW CRANES & PORT EXPANSION
The recent acquisition of four new generation Super Post Panamax ship-to-shore gantry cranes aims at increasing productivity from 17 container moves per hour to 35-40 moves per hour and is part of the Port Authority's fourth phase of development of the Kingston Container Terminal that includes:
Reconstruction of the existing 445 metres of berth at the North Terminal, plus construction of an additional 90 metres of berth.
Extension of the berth at the South Terminal by 91.1 metres.
Paving of 29 hectares of yard space on the South Terminal.
Paving of 21.6 hectares of yard space on the North Terminal. This expansion will add a further 300,000 TEUs, which represents a 25 per cent increase in capacity. Upon completion, the total capacity of the Kingston Container Terminal will be 1.5 million TEUs.
Dredging of the North Terminal at the Kingston Container Terminal to bring a depth of 15 metres this year.
