Based on information from the Ministry of Transport and Works, despite ongoing expansion, the number of containers now exceeds the storage capacity with a total of 30,911 containers in place.

As such, management made arrangement for additional space at Tinson Pen adjacent to the port.

Temporarily stored

About 17,099 of the containers on the port were empty, while 13,812 were full of cargo, including 3,659 containers being temporarily stored for Venezuelan interests.

The ministry said the negative impact of the global economic meltdown has affected the flow of cargo through ports, and was likely to impact on the overall revenues of the Port of Kingston.

"However, an effort is being made to try and offset some of the losses via earnings from short-term storage service, as is the case with the containers destined for Venezuela," the release explained.

A section of the Tinson Pen lands was previously used for container storage and the area is again being examined for this purpose.

About 17,099 of the containers on the port were empty, while 13,812 were full of cargo.