Jamaica has taken one other important step in the direction of fulfilling its aspiration of changing into a significant logistics hub with the deployment of two new ship‑to‑shore (STS) cranes at Kingston Freeport Terminal Restricted (KFTL).
The gear, which arrived in October, was formally commissioned into service by Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, throughout a ceremony on the terminal on Wednesday (December 3).
The deployment adopted a rigorous certification course of to ensure peak efficiency, security, and operational optimisation.
In his tackle, Dr. Holness recommended KFTL for investing within the new cranes, emphasising that “each greenback of funding brings Jamaica nearer to the realisation of this aspiration to be thought of one of many main [global] logistics hubs”.
He famous that with the quantity of cargo shipments growing yearly, and plenty of vessels unable to journey immediately from level of origin to level of distribution, Jamaica is strategically positioned to learn.
“[Those ships] should cease someplace. They should cease to be refuelled, they should cease for water, and so they could should cease to separate their cargo, which presents a necessity for trans-shipment,” Dr. Holness defined.
He emphasised that Jamaica is strategically situated in proximity to and aligned with many of the established transport channels within the area.
“Due to this fact, it offers us an financial benefit, and it offers the transport trade a bonus as nicely, to utilise our geography, to take items coming from everywhere in the world, break them, and ship them off to their last vacation spot,” the Prime Minister said.
He additional highlighted the chance for Jamaica to increase into close to‑shore operations, noting that this consists of “shifting items produced in Jamaica, assembled in Jamaica, onto ships to elsewhere, or our exports to elsewhere”.
“Now if we get excellent at this, then individuals transport items will have a look at Jamaica and say, ‘you understand, there’s nice effectivity. I can save a couple of {dollars} off each container ship if I cease in Jamaica, transfer them, and place them on one other ship, as a result of the time to do that has been decreased’,” Dr. Holness identified.
He emphasised that each greenback invested at KFTL is meant to boost the effectivity of Jamaica’s port as a processing hub for containerised items.
Dr. Holness said that the brand new cranes will cut back the offloading and reloading time for vessels, thereby enhancing the general capability of the terminal.
He added that, regardless of the impacts of Hurricane Melissa – one of many strongest tropical cyclones on file – Jamaica’s logistics sector stays robust, bolstered by current investments in storage capability at KFTL by means of the Westlands Port Enlargement Challenge.
Dr. Holness emphasised that the Authorities stays firmly dedicated to facilitating Jamaica’s push to change into a logistics hub.
He reiterated plans to undertake a significant funding to reorganise and redevelop the world surrounding the port, thereby creating the mandatory house and infrastructure to help its enlargement.
“We are going to use the chance that [Hurricane] Melissa has introduced us, to increase and finance the enlargement of our port… however in a resilient means to make sure that, ought to the local weather not favour us and, God forbid, there’s any climate occasion that impacts Kingston or this hall, we’re in a position to face up to and get well rapidly,” he affirmed.
The Prime Minister inspired KFTL to proceed investing within the terminal to additional increase its capability, whereas pledging the Authorities’s help “by way of monetary partnership and by way of the help for the continuation of this partnership in increasing our port”.
In his remarks, KFTL’s Chief Government Officer (CEO), Carlos Cabrera, famous that the brand new cranes are outfitted with superior know-how to stop collision incidents between cranes and ships, devoted lashing platforms to maintain staff outdoors of hazard zones, and pedestrian detection techniques.
He emphasised that the entity’s sustained funding within the port has strengthened Jamaica’s competitiveness, enhanced operational resilience, and positioned the terminal to pursue its ambition of changing into the premier hub within the area.
The CEO famous that KFTL made a dedication in 2016 to speculate greater than US$600 million in the course of the first 10 years of its concession and is now delivering on that promise.
“The outcomes are clear. Since 2021, our volumes have grown over 55 per cent. This yr, we’re on tempo to interrupt final yr’s file, and we might be approaching 2.5 million TEUs (Twenty-foot Equal Items). Our capabilities immediately enable us to ship this productiveness, quicker vessel turnaround time, and enhance our service to all of our prospects,” Mr. Cabrera declared.
