PAJ To Develop 11.8 Acres Of Land At Montego Bay Free Zone

The Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) is proposing to develop the 11.8 acres of land it owns at the Montego Bay Free Zone into a commercial and logistics complex.

“The procurement process has begun to engage a consultant to undertake the geotechnical studies, as well as the design through to development stage for facilitation of a demand analysis study,” Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, with responsibility for Works, Hon. Everald Warmington, has said.

Making his contribution to the 2022/23 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on May 11, Mr. Warmington added that a financial feasibility study will also be undertaken.

Regarding the Jamaica Global Logistics Hub (JGLH) initiative, the PAJ completed construction of a 200,000-square-foot logistics facility, built to international logistics specifications, on a section of lands contiguous to the Kingston Container Terminal, known as the Kingston Logistics Park (KLP).

Mr. Warmington said this development is expected to boost economic activities and lead to economic growth for Jamaica.

“The project involved the construction of a 16,200-square-metre steel-frame structure, with height up to 10.8 metres to be used as a warehouse building. In addition, a 1,500-square-metre building was constructed to accommodate the operations of the Container Security Initiative and Jamaica Customs Agency,” he added.

He also informed that the PAJ has been actively pursuing partnerships with private-sector companies, and in November 2021, 75 per cent of the available space at the KLP was leased to a local company.

“Discussions are under way with entities operating in Global space that have indicated strong interest in the remaining space,” the Minister said.

The Jamaica Global Logistics Hub initiative is designed to position Jamaica to attract businesses that are a part of the global supply and value chains. The ultimate goal is to further integrate Jamaica into the global supply and value chains, and the logistics hub is intended to deepen this participation.

Meanwhile, the PAJ owns 50 acres of land in Falmouth, near the Cruise Ship Port and the town of Falmouth, and the agency is seeking to develop and monetise its investment by way of public-private partnership (PPP).

“It will include collaboration and support from other government agencies. It is anticipated that the development will include commercial and civic buildings and amenities and will be developed in an economic and environmentally friendly manner,” Mr. Warmington said.

The Minister further noted that the PAJ will seek to preserve the history and authentic appeal of Falmouth.

“The technical due diligence has commenced, and a consultant will be engaged through the government procurement process, to work with the PAJ to develop and provide the preliminary estimate for development early during the financial year 2022/23,” he added.