Making logistics hub dream a reality

Ronald Mason

The logistics hub has been placed front and centre to the Jamaican people with even greater emphasis in recent days. However, most people still do not have a full grasp of this activity, according to recent poll findings.

Let us revisit the logistics hub. The hub is not a physical structure, a business, a port, but rather a series of integrated activities to facilitate the movement of goods with allied services. When the statement is made that the logistics hub must be owned and managed by Jamaicans, it raises the question, by inference, that the concept of a logistics hub is not fully understood.

Jamaica owns the Port of Kingston. Jamaica owns the Caymanas Economic Zone. Jamaica owns the airbase at Vernamfield and also the ports at Cow Bay and Jackson Bay. That others may partner with us, in the broadest sense of the term, to develop these facilities should not be a cause for concern. Very little, if any, can be relocated in the event the partnership is dissolved.

MISSING THE BOAT?

What is the state of the implementation in the following integral activities which comprise the logistics hub? Regarding the dredging of the Kingston Harbour with its 20 square miles of nature's endowment. The engineering report is complete, but the funding is to be derived from the divestment of some interest in the Kingston Container Terminal by the Port of Authority. This is behind schedule and is slipping out of our hands. At best, it will be end of 2014. It is not going to be done to a depth to accommodate the new emerging 'E'-class freight vessels. Why not?

The construction of a dry dock ship repair and maintenance facility at Jackson Bay in Clarendon is still at the negotiation stage. The powers that be still have not finalised the package to facilitate this development. It may be suffering from inefficient power supply at acceptable cost, no flexiweek labour laws, and whether it will be a public-private partnership or purely a private investment. Nothing to report and not much movement.

The activity on the proposal scale would see thousands of construction jobs over three to five years and many permanent jobs requiring skills we do not have in quantifiable numbers. We don't have many internationally certified marine engineers, welders, heavy-duty mechanics and drivers. A lot of preparatory work is yet to be done, and we have a rather moribund administrative approach.

The bunker facilities proposed for Cow Bay in St Thomas is still just a concept. 'Bunkers' mean the large-quantity storage, movement and distribution of commodities such as oils, grains, aggregate and the like.

The harbour at Cow Bay is the deepest harbour in this part of the world and best suited for this activity. Again, it is on the back burner awaiting decisions on the methodology and vehicle to bring this to fruition. It is apparent that the authorities do not have the will or capacity to multitask. Only one thing at a time. Let us hope they prove that one thing at a time - and done well - is a good thing.

The Caymanas Economic Zone has had some progress. The location and quantum have been identified. There are some prospective investors whose proposals are on the table. The decision making should be done relatively quickly. This is the activity likely to generate jobs in the very near future. Construction, product handling, trans-shipment and other services will facilitate these features. Full speed ahead!

The construction of an airfield at Vernamfield, with long runways capable of handling the largest air cargo fleet, has not begun. The logistics hub is not only a marine activity but an intermodal concept. We need to begin to place and implement the land, sea and air phases. Rail spurs to link the structures with the seaports and airports are partially there in our inoperative rail system.

The ancillary activities at Vernamfield will include cargo handling, maintenance repairs and education. These are all specialised activities which require a high degree of skill to perform at world standards.

STUCK IN THE BLOCKS

The public education of our people has not really begun. Those who have degrees in areas other than science, technology, engineering and mathematics are going to be the last hired. No one will hire a degree for degree sake, but will surely consider a skilled, trainable person. What can you do for me now? That is the question the job seeker must be prepared to answer and demonstrate.

There is now no sense of urgency in the timeline. It is as if the natural advantages we as a country possess will outweigh the need to be out of the blocks quickly. We are taking comfort in the delayed opening of the Panama Canal until August 2015. We continue to hide behind the indecision and the financial aspects of the logistics hub.

The Government has left the distinct impression that it wants to hold on when it has very little ability to finance the projects. Please remember, half a loaf is better than none. We have the dream, the vision; let's join others who have the money, expertise and need.

Why has the Government not done the legislative updates to facilitate the logistics hub? This is purely and solely within their purview and would indicate the seriousness of purpose. It's action time now!

Ronald Mason is an immigration attorney-at-law, mediator, and talk-show host. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and nationsagenda@gmail.com.