Jamaica poised to become Caribbean’s largest transshipment hub

JAMAICA IS on track to become the largest and fastest-growing transshipment hub in the Caribbean, with a US$80-million expansion of operations at the Kingston Freeport Terminal (KFTL).

The Westlands Expansion Project is a collaboration between the Port Authority of Jamaica, the KFTL, and CMA Terminal Holdings, and will add 15 hectares to the port, aiming to decrease congestion and increase cargo capacity by 25 per cent.

In the first phase, the project will focus on land preparation, including soil strengthening, drainage improvement to eliminate flooding, and security.

Later, it will feature state-of-the-art security technology that includes an automated cargo gate system, which Prime Minister Andrew Holness said will be part of overall efforts to modernise Jamaica’s main port, which has seen an upsurge in cargo volume by almost 60 per cent in the last decade.

“This is a strategic expansion and, by reducing vessel waiting times and increasing cargo throughput, we are positioning Jamaica to capture a greater share of global shipping activity and cement our place as a logistics leader in the region,” Holness charged during the keynote address at the project’s launch last Thursday.

“Jamaica is now a serious player in global shipping ... without adequate land to grow and evolve, even the most efficient ports can become landlocked and uncompetitive,” charged Holness, outlining his vision for Jamaica’s shipping industry, inclusive of plans to relocate the neighbouring Tinson Pen Aerodrome and Marcus Garvey Drive to facilitate more port space.

He said these efforts will ensure that the port grows without hindrance for many years to come and that Jamaica remains competitive in the space. It represents a vision for growth and national ambition, utilising Jamaica’s geographical location to create a first-class transshipment space, he charged.

President of the Port Authority of Jamaica, Professor Gordon Shirley, said the expansion of the Westland Port at the KFTL will boost the country’s economy.

“With the addition of the westlands, with the space available to the KFTL terminal operation, an impressive growth rate is expected to be further enhanced,” said Shirley, explaining that the increase will allow Kingston to capitalise on new business opportunities.

“This will significantly improve the competitiveness of the terminal, which will be able to accommodate cargo that is currently bypassing the port from its existing shipping lines, and will allow it, in addition, to attract new business from other countries,” he explained. The automated cargo gate will substantially improve the rate at which domestic cargo can be processed and released.

The development of the Westlands will create an important additional basis for competitiveness for Kingston in comparison to the space-constrained competitors, charged Shirley.

CEO of the KFTL, Captain Jedrzej Mierzewski, explained that the Westlands expansion will involve the movement of more than 730 cubic metres of soil, and “If you fill up, with this soil, the National Stadium, still some will be left.” He said the expansion will add to a host of upgrades, including LED lighting for greater safety, new cranes, 14 hybrid straddle carriers expected in the coming weeks, and the employment and training of more than 450 Jamaicans and 600 operators, some of whom visited Nigeria to train operators there.

Following the groundbreaking ceremony, President of the Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ), Corah Ann Robertson-Sylvester, described the Westlands expansion as greatly beneficial to industry stakeholders.

“The Westlands Expansion Project is a game-changer for Jamaica’s logistics landscape,” the SAJ president said. “This investment directly supports the growth of our members and partners by improving efficiency, increasing capacity, and strengthening Jamaica’s appeal as a world-class transshipment hub. The SAJ fully supports this strategic initiative, which enhances our competitiveness and positions us to meet the evolving demands of global trade.”