Port Authority Finalizing Arrangements for Logistics Centre

The Port Authority of Jamaica is finalizing arrangements for the acquisition of property adjacent to its Kingston Container Terminal, to develop the first phase of a distribution logistics centre to be operated by overseas private sector investors.
Making the disclosure during his contribution to the 2005/06 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, Transport and Works Minister, Robert Pickersgill noted that already, several major shipping lines have expressed more than “ordinary interest” in the logistics centre, which will be opened at the Port of Kingston in July. The PAJ is partnering with Zim Israeli Lines to purchase the property, which once housed the maintenance centre for Cable and Wireless, and is in the process of settling the agreement with Zim.
Minister Pickersgill said the logistics centre, which will incorporate a central marketing point, was an important aspect of large modern hub ports.
In the meantime, he has indicated that plans for the fifth phase expansion of the Kingston Container Terminal was advanced with the realignment of the Causeway road underway. The work will facilitate the six-lane highway and bridge from Kingston to Portmore. The Transport and Works Minister said the developments represented billions of dollars in investments and would transform Portmore and its environs.
In the current financial year, the Port Authority will proceed with the expansion of the Montego Bay cruise ship pier to satisfy the demand for additional berths. It is projected that the engineering services will be awarded by July 2005 and design completed by March 2006. Construction is scheduled for completion by October 2007.
Cruise ship calls will be continuous throughout the construction phase with the project executed in a manner to minimize and remove potential conflict with cruise lines.