Kingston Wharves looking to double business in two years
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Kingston Wharves Limited (KWL) said it would invest US$20 million (J$3 billion) initially to double its capacity if it were to acquire lands that include the Tinson Pen Aerodrome.
"We feel very well poised to expand our automotive business … once we have the space, we can double our business in another two to three years," said Mark Williams, CEO of KWL, speaking in an interview with the Financial Gleaner.
Williams said the company has already indicated to the Government its interest in acquiring roughly 50 acres of land at Tinson Pen, a move that would expand its available space and support growth in its auto trans-shipment business. Williams pointed to growing demand from shipping lines and the company's recent need to turn away vessels because of limited capacity.
“We are in discussions with the Government and eagerly await its decision,” he added on Thursday.
Williams said “the capital investment of US$20 million” would be deployed initially to prepare the land and infrastructure to international standards. The capital will go towards drainage systems, surface development, and security infrastructure, including CCTV and standby power, as well as electric-vehicle charging stations.
The expansion is tied to the long-discussed decommissioning of the Tinson Pen Aerodrome, which currently facilitates a flight school, cross-island services, and courier operations. Under the Government's redevelopment plans, the site is to be repurposed for logistics and related commercial activity.
The Airports Authority of Jamaica, however, will determine whether to move the aerodrome to the nearby Norman Manley International Airport — four nautical miles away — or build a facility elsewhere in the Corporate Area, according to earlier reports. Early discussions have also pointed to changes in the surrounding road network, affecting sections of Marcus Garvey Drive and potentially stretching as far north as Three Miles.
A possible scenario includes using the runway as part of KWL’s wider logistics integration.
“We are considering all options, to ensure seamless integration of all aspects of logistics — land, sea and air,” he added.
The expansion plans come as Kingston Wharves posted higher revenue but lower profit in the first quarter of 2026. Consolidated revenue for the three months to March rose 18 per cent to $3.3 billion, but net profit fell 22 per cent to $591 million, which the company attributed mainly to exchange losses from the appreciation of the Jamaican dollar against the US dollar. Stripping out foreign-exchange movements, net profit rose 5.0 per cent.
The quarter followed a record 2025. KWL reported full-year revenue of $12.7 billion, an 18 per cent increase and the highest in its history. Operating profit climbed to $4.2 billion, while net profit reached $3.6 billion, with shareholders' equity rising to $51.9 billion and total assets expanding nine per cent to $66 billion.
The 2025 results were driven by growth across all major cargo segments, including an 80 per cent surge in break bulk cargo and a 14 per cent increase in motor vehicle movements, which exceeded 180,000 units for the year.
"Our motor vehicle business grew by 14 per cent … . We had to turn away other car vessels because we had no space," Williams said at the company's annual general meeting.
KWL's earlier investments include the US$30-million redevelopment of Berth 7, which enabled the port to accommodate some of the world's largest eco-friendly car carriers. The company has also added a 130,000-square-foot warehouse at Ashenheim Road and acquired a 27 per cent stake in Cargo Handlers Limited, expanding its presence in western Jamaica.
The Tinson Pen project would allow the port to handle increased trans-shipment volumes and is expected to create more than 200 jobs.