Establishment of Transshipment and Logistics Hub Represents Huge Investment (http://www.jis.gov.jm/news/list/30998)

http://www.caribbeanshipping.org/images/kingston-2001.jpg

Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister, Hon. Anthony Hylton, says the government’s plan to establish Jamaica as a global transshipment and logistics hub represents an investment opportunity of some US$7-8 billion, spanning a five to 10-year period.

The proposal entails implementation of a series of developments, including: dredging of the Kingston Harbour; port facility expansion works at Fort Augusta and Gordon Cay, St. Catherine; and establishment of the Caymanas Economic Zone (CEZ), also in St. Catherine; a transshipment commodity port facility near Yallahs, St. Thomas; and a dry dock facility at Jackson Bay, and air cargo and passenger facility at Vernamfield, both in Clarendon.

The pursuit of these developments comes against the background of what Mr. Hylton says is Jamaica’s strategic positioning at the centre of an 800 million-person market in the Western Hemisphere, inclusive of the United States, deemed the world’s largest and strongest market.

Outlining details of the projects during his presentation in the 2012/13 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives, on June 20, Mr. Hylton said the work on the CEZ, for which 1,500 acres of prime real estate have been earmarked, will see the initial phase being developed on 200 acres, to “systematically” lay out information and communication technology (ICT), business, and light industry parks.

Noting that the CEZ will link the business districts of Kingston, Spanish Town and Portmore, Mr. Hylton said the development will enable Jamaica to “elevate its role” in the global supply chain by facilitating the movement of cargo throughout the hemisphere. Additionally, it will serve as a strategic gateway for cargo destined for the North, Central and South American markets, “thus taking advantage of a network of trade agreements between Jamaica/CARICOM and these markets."

The Minister said the CEZ will complement the Kingston Harbour dredging project, which will act as a “catalyst” for the entire transshipment and logistics hub development.

Cabinet Accepts Submission to Position Country as Global Logistics Hub

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Anthony Hylton, says that Cabinet has accepted the submission that Hub, which will be at the centre of the country's economic growth strategy.

The Minister, who was briefing senior journalists at a breakfast meeting at his Ministry today (September 25), said that Cabinet also approved the public/private partnership policy, which is critical to Jamaica establishing the logistics hub.

He reiterated that the expansion of the Panama Canal will bring about a shift in globa trade and increased transshipment traffic throughout the region. "We aim to position traffic," he said.

MR. Hylton explained that there is tremendous excitement from prospective investors and port operators about Jamaica’s recognition of its potential and the country moving in an organised way to take advantage of it. He stated too, that Jamaica is getting strong global interest from the French, Americans, Europeans, in addition to the Chinese and other Asian countries.

Read more here:http://www.jis.gov.jm/news/leads-107/31834

Logistics Hub Could have Big Impact on GDP - Hylton

Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister, Hon. Anthony Hylton, says the Global Logistics Hub could add 17 per cent growth to six to eight years.

The figures, Mr. Hylton said, were baseline estimates provided by the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ).

The Minister was briefing senior journalists on the global logistics hub, at a breakfast meeting at the Ministry, on September 25.

Chairman of the Logistics and Investment Task Force, Dr. Eric Deans, said that with Cabinet approving the logistics hub, which has been highlighted in Vision 2030 and in the 2009-2012 Medium Term Socio-economic Framework, "we now have a clear strategic direction in which to transform the economy."

Read more here: http://www.jis.gov.jm/news/leads/31858

Nigel, now you can reedit your posts.

Jamaica Plots Economic Transformation through Logistics Hub
http://www.rjrnewsonline.com/assets/img/stories/display_pic/AnthonyHylton.jpg
Half a century ago Robert Lightbourne, Jamaica’s then Minister of Industry, dreamed of a deepwater port being established at Yallahs, St. Thomas approximately 25 miles miles east of the capital city, Kingston.

Today, Anthony Hylton, one of Lightbourne’s successors in that portfolio, is vowing to bring his 1960s vision to reality and expand its ultimate impact. He sees the 51 metre deep harbour at Cow Bay, Yallahs as the ideal location for creating a commodities port. This would be part of an island-wide logistics hub that the Jamaican government is planning to establish, repositioning the island as an attractive investment point, given its strategic geographical location along an important global trading route.

Citing Cow Bay as “one of the deepest ports in the Western Hemisphere” Hylton, Minister of Industry, Investment& Commerce in the Jamaican Cabinet believes it is ideally located and suited to accommodate the largest cargo ships in the world, some of which will not be able to transit even the expanded Panama Canal.

Because those ships carrying bulk commodity are so large they will have to come either through the Suez Canal coming through Europe into the Caribbean or around the southern tip of South America through the Cape and into the Caribbean” he explained when we sat down to an interview in his New Kingston office

Read more here:http://www.rjrnewsonline.com/business/jamaica-plots-economic-transformation-through-logistics-hub

Glasgow Business Community Supports Jamaica

LONDON - The London office of JAMPRO, the Government's trade and investment promotions agency, has secured the support of the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce in its efforts to promote Jamaica as an investment and business destination.

Representatives of JAMPRO and the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) accompanied High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (UK) Aloun Ndomet Assamba, on her first officia visit to Scotland this week.

Laurence Jones,* told JIS News that a special feature promoting Jamaica as an investment destination and logistics hub for the Caribbean, will be published in the chamber's monthly* magazine that goes out to its more than 1,800 members.

Read more here: http://www.jis.gov.jm/news/leads/32038

South Africa eyes Jamaica's hub (http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/business/South-Africa-eyes-Jamaica-s-hub_12988195)

MONTEGO BAY, St James — Trade with South Africa could boom if Jamaica's plan for a global logistics hub becomes a reality, said the South African Minister of Trade and Industry.

Rob Davies predicted that significant trading opportunities between Pretoria and Kingston would be boosted by the proposal, which is primarily designed to take advantage of the widening of the Panama Canal by 2015.

Cargo moving between Jamaica and South Africa currently takes more than seven weeks and has to make two transfers, Davies said.

With the opening of the logistics hub in Jamaica, larger vessels would be able to take the same load in a single trip in much less time.

"A container that comes from our country through the port of Durban to Kingston - I presume is the same for a container which comes from Kingston to Durban - goes through three ships, three destinations, is off loaded three times, and takes an average of 53 days," Davies said.

"Transport logistics is a major problem in expanding trade relationships. If the logistics hub can succeed in attracting shipping lines, that could let us cut out one leg of that three-leg journey, and possibly, even in the nearer future, could cut out every trans-shipment and have a direct link, I am sure that we could cut that time from 53 days by several weeks at least."

The South African minister was speaking over the weekend at the Carib News 17th Annual Caribbean Multi-National Business Conference at Ritz Carlton, Montego Bay.

Jamaica's Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister, Anthony Hylton, hopes that the expansion of the Panama Canal will bring about a shift in global trade and increased trans-shipment traffic throughout the region.

"I shared on the priority of this Government to position Jamaica as the Logistics Hub of the Americas to join the global logistics network that now includes Rotterdam, Singapore and Dubai," Hylton told the conference.

"A rising tide lifts all ships," he said. "We are acutely aware of just how critical it will be to create an enabling business environment for this big idea and major economic initiative; as well as on related investments and re-investments".
The proposed Jamaica trans-shipment and Logistics Hub will have six separate but complementary elements that will include the dredging of the Kingston Harbour and expanding port facility at Fort Augusta and Gordon Cay.

Davies appealed to Jamaica to build on the solid "political, cultural and historical relations that we enjoy" and turn them into "much more meaningful economic relations".

Jamaica ranks a lowly 123rd in South Africa's list of trading partners, and Davies described the $100 million annual trade as "peanuts".
But he noted that trade was as high as $1.6 billion in the not too distant past.

" There is no reason why we should not, in the very near future, be able to increase our total trade by between 10 and 15 times," he said. "That would not be the end of the story. But it is possible because in one way or the other we have done it in the recent past. It is not difficult, it does not require anything that is unusual."

Major Investments Expected from Mission to China and Singapore

(http://www.jis.gov.jm/news/list/32304)
Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Anthony Hylton, says the Government expects some major investments to arise from his recent trips to China and Singapore.

"As early as next month, we expect exploratory visits from at least three companies out of China, with at least one of them expressing a strong desire to establish a strategic partnership in locating their regional hub in Jamaica," Mr. Hylton disclosed.

He was speaking at a press conference at the Ministry’s New Kingston offices on Thursday (November 15), where he gave an update on the mission, which took place from October 25 to November 7.

The Minister said that by engaging China and Singapore early in Jamaica’s plans for a logistics hub, some solid partnerships have been secured. "This is underpinned by the fact that Jamaica will become an integral component in the international transshipment industry, as it will represent one of only two ports expected to be ready upon completion of the expansion of the Panama canal in 2015,” he added.

Mr. Hylton pointed out that there is “strong agreement and acceptance” regarding the opportunities and benefits to be obtained by the expansion of the Panama canal for both China and Jamaica. He said the strategic benefit that could accrue to both countries, with the development of a global logistics hub in the island, was acknowledged.

Turning to Singapore, he informed that the mission had benefitted from in-depth presentations on Singapore’s port systems and operations, which provided useful insight on modern practices and a grasp of global standards which exist in the logistics industry. Additionally, presentations were made on the country’s tax structure, which supports its transshipment operations.

“To top it off, the Singaporean government expressed is willingness to offer us a range of technical support, given their own experiences and well developed expertise,” he noted, adding that the Port of Singapore Authority had also indicated its interest in exploring opportunities in the further development and operations at Jamaica’s ports.

The purpose of the mission was to meet with counterpart Ministers in China and Singapore, with a view to deepening commercial and industrial relations between Jamaica and those countries; engage potential investors and promote investment opportunities in the proposed logistics hub and other sectors in Jamaica; as well as to gain insight and greater perspective on the development of Jamaica’s logistics industry.

Mr. Hylton said that these objectives were successfully achieved, as the mission team was able to complete a packed itinerary targeting potential investors across all focus sectors, and to present specific opportunities for investing in Jamaica

The Minister’s team included JAMPRO President, Sancia Bennett Templer; Chairman of the Factories Corporation of Jamaica, Clive Fagan; and Chairman of the Logistics Taskforce, Dr. Eric Deans.
:banana:

Support of Diplomatic Corps Sought In Development of Transshipment Hub

The Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce s seeking the support of *members of the Diplomatic Corps to attract widescale investment nputs from overseas private and public sector interests, in the development of Jamaica's globa transshipment and logistics hub.

Portfolio Minister, Hon. Anthony Hylton, extended this invitation while making a presentation entitled'Jamaica – the Global Logistics Hub of the Americas: Leveraging the Power of Speed and Connectivity’, to representatives at Jamaica Promotions Corporation(JAMPRO) corporate offices, in New Kingston, on December 3.

The Minister said that Jamaica, like many other countries, is “financially constrained,” and in this regard, “we are seeking investment from the globa community, not just locally."

“We hope that you will communicate (plans for the development), not only to your governments, but also to your private sector, to your chambers and your other private sector organisations. Let it be known generally that this is Jamaica’s thinking, this is Jamaica’s plan, and we are inviting nvestments from governments, private sector, anybody that qualifies,” Mr. Hylton told the diplomats..........

Read more here:http://www.jis.gov.jm/news/list/32458

Transshipment and Logistics Hub Will Boost MSMES

State Minister for Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Sharon Ffolkes-Abrahams, says growth within Jamaica’s micro, small and medium-sized enterprise (MSMEs) is expected to be significantly boosted with development of the country’s global transshipment and logistics hub.

Speaking at the Jamaica Exporters Association’s (JEA) 47 th Annual General Meeting in Kingston, recently, Mrs. Ffolkes-Abrahams said, when implemented, the hub will provide a platform to integrate the SME sector into the global supply chain by creating opportunities for a host of down- stream industries, including those that are service-based”.

...

Read more here: http://www.jis.gov.jm/news/leads/32470

IMF Agreement will not affect Shipping and Logistics Project - Hylton (http://www.jis.gov.jm/news/leads-107/32586)

Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister, Hon. Anthony Hylton, is allaying concerns that the conclusion of an agreement with the International Monetary (IMF) could impact progress on the development of Jamaica’s global shipping and logistics hub.

Speaking at the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce’s (JCC) Breakfast Forum at the Knutsford Court Hotel, New Kingston on Tuesday (December 18), Mr. Hylton said that the Government has already indicated that the hub’s development is the administration’s "priority programme and strategy."

Factories Corp Begins Int'l Search For CEZ Partner (http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20121221/business/business4.html)

Factories Corporation of Jamaica (FCJ) is hunting internationally for a joint-venture partner to develop infrastructure for the Caymanas Economic Zone (CEZ) and Naggo Head information technology (IT) centre projects.

FCJ Chairman Clive Fagan indicated that the Government is prepared to offer inducements to potential investors, including new incentives now being finalised.

FCJ began inviting bids last Sunday, two years into the formulation of plans for the CEZ as a distribution/manufacturing hub. The Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce has tied the CEZ and IT projects to port-development programmes being handled by the transport ministry and is promoting them as components of a wider plan to position Jamaica as a global logistics hub.

Interest Building In US$8b Logistics Hub - Hylton (http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20121226/business/business3.html)

The Ministry of Industry Investment and Commerce, working with the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce, will be reaching out to businesses to brief them on the global logistics and trans-shipment hub project and opportunities for investment.

Industry Minister Anthony Hylton, who made the comment while addressing a luncheon meeting of the chamber, also said there were growing expectations for the hub and that international traders were waiting for Jamaica to deliver on the project.

Hylton has been to Europe, Asia and Panama to promote the hub project, whose various components Jamaica expects will cost a combined US$8 billion to US$10 billion to execute, he told the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce meeting in Kingston on December 18.

OCG's Objections Not Slowing Gov't Projects (http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20130107/lead/lead4.html)

DESPITE THE Office of the Contractor General (OCG) referring the Portia Simpson Miller-chaired Cabinet to the director of public prosecutions for criminal prosecution, the Government is indicating it intends to push along with three projects which have caused horns to be locked with the watchdog agency.

In a broadcast to the nation last night, Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller listed the three projects at the centre of the dispute with the contractor general as "exciting economic initiatives" to come on stream this year.

The projects are the development of the Gordon Cay Container Trans-shipment Hub, the development of the Fort Augusta Container Terminal and a logistics centre, and the north-south link of Highway 2000.

Simpson Miller yesterday said the Highway 2000 project, which is to be undertaken by China Harbour Engineering Company at a price tag of US$610 million, "will create a number of jobs as there will be major development projects along the corridor between St Catherine and St Ann".

Logistics Hub to Stimulate and Sustain Growth - Minister Hylton

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Anthony Hylton, says the establishment of the Jamaica Logistics Hub is aimed at stimulating and sustaining growth in the medium and long term, while totally transforming the country’s economy.

“This is the most transformative economic activity that we will undertake as a government, in partnership with the Jamaican private sector, the global investment community, the multilateral and bilateral institutions and significantly our friends in Panama,” the Minister said.

He was addressing the quarterly luncheon of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Montego Bay, on January 23.

[RELATED: Islandwide Public Consultations on Logistics Hub Initiative]

Mr. Hylton emphasized that Jamaica’s transformation required coordinated action to upgrade the country’s logistics capabilities to realize its potential to become the fourth global logistics hub, along

Read more here: http://www.jis.gov.jm/news/leads-107/32822

Jamaica Betting Big on Panama Canal Expansion

The expansion of the Panama Canal is to be completed in 2015. In preparation for this, Jamaica has embarked upon an ambitious program of infrastructure development to position it as a “global transshipment and logistics hub”—joining the likes of Singapore, Dubai, and Rotterdam.

However, the cost to join the ranks of such global hubs is estimated to cost Jamaica anywhere between US$8 and $10 billion. While Jamaica is endowed with natural advantages, such as geographic proximity—it is the island closest to Panama and home to the world’s seventh largest natural harbor in the world—it is also saddled with a crippling amount of debt.

In order to successfully complete the daunting project before the canal opens, Jamaica will have to dredge the Kingston harbor in order to ensure that the massive ships will be able to enter port, expand existing port facilities, construct a dry dock for ship repairs, establish a transshipment commodity port, an air-cargo and passenger facility at Vernamfield, and develop the Caymanas Special Economic Zone. The Caymanas SEZ alone is a massive undertaking, consisting of a 1,500 acre site, with an independent energy source and integrated port facility developed through a public/private partnership.

The Jamaica Investment Forum touts that this will be Jamaica’s first ever integrated industrial zone in the country, with the potential to provide up to 21,000 jobs. The air-cargo facility at Vernamfield will also host a smaller export-processing zone. Jamaica’s Minister of Industry, Investment, and Commerce, Anthony Hylton, has stated that plan is now the “flagship project” to stabilize the country’s economy and that the government has elevated it to the status of a national priority. The Government of Jamaica has estimated that the massive project would provide a 17% increase in GDP for the country over the upcoming decade. Given that Jamaica’s economy has largely stagnated, the World Bank noting that it had little and often no growth over the past 40 years, the potential opportunity makes the project impossible to turn down.

Read more here:http://nacla.org/blog/2013/1/31/jamaica-betting-big-panama-canal-expansion

World Bank team for logistics confab (http://jamaica-gleaner.com/latest/article.php?id=42663)

A World Bank team arrives in Jamaica today for discussions on Jamaica’s plans to develop a transshipment hub and logistics centre.

The talks will extend over four days to February 8.

Minister of Industry Investment and Commerce, Anthony Hylton, said the World Bank is weighing technical assistance and financing for the project through its affiliate, the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

The European Union, Hylton said, had also met with ministry officials last week to discuss a possible role in the unfolding project.

Meantime, Hylton has appointed Dr Eric Deans to head the logistics hub implementation unit within the ministry.
Deans told Gleaner Business that the next step for the unit was the development of a master plan in collaboration with stakeholders for execution of all projects.

No timeline for completion was proposed, however, Hylton said in mid-January during a two day retreat on the logistics hub, that April 2015 is a major milestone aligning with the completion of the Panama Canal expansion project.

Jamaica Logistics: Leveraging Speed and Connectivity (http://www.maritime-executive.com/article/Jamaica-Logistics:-Leveraging-Speed-and-Connectivity/)
http://www.maritime-executive.com/media/filter/large/img/Birdview_KingstonPort.gif
The Government of Jamaica has unveiled ambitious plans that will create the Caribbean island into a Global Logistics Hub for the Americas and position it as a regional trading rival to Singapore.

High level discussions have already started with a number of overseas investors to develop vast areas of prime real estate to handle increased volumes of air and sea cargo. Projects under discussion include growth of container throughput at the Port of Kingston ahead of the expansion of the Panama Canal, as well as the development of commodity ports to handle petroleum products, coal, minerals and grain; the development of an air cargo strong hold through the construction of an air cargo airport as well as the construction of large scale ship repair dry docks. Special economic zones are also being conceptualised by a wide range of local and foreign investors.

Once completed the initiative, which is being spearheaded by the Jamaica Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, will transform Jamaica into the fourth node or pillar in the global supply and logistics chain alongside Singapore, Dubai and Rotterdam. A critical element in the equation to make the Logistics Hub successful is the involvement of suitable, long-term investors. The Government of Jamaica is already in discussion with some prospective partners as well as looking for new ones.

Anthony Hylton, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, said the vast project contained many opportunities for investors, logistics providers, distributors, manufacturers, and suppliers across many industries around the world. He said the initiative will provide a myriad of opportunities for global and domestic commercial and industry interests.

He said the development of Jamaica’s transportation – maritime, aviation, road and rail and logistics infrastructure – will enable Jamaica to be positioned as the logistics hub of the Americas (North and South America). This effort, he said, represents the centrepiece of a sustainable economic growth strategy.

Jamaica trails Panama in logistics hub race (http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20130206/business/business4.html)

Jamaica has been touting its plan to develop itself as the world's fourth logistics hub, but Panama is ahead of the game and will likely take that title.

Jamaica is banking on Panama's signature project, the canal expansion due for completion in 2015, to realise its own hub dream which will take a decade to realise.

Panama began rolling out its hub project in 2007, known as the Panama Pacific Special Economic Area (PPSEA). The tendered project was won by British company London and Regional, which has been developing the hub in Port Arthur since then.

The website of Panama Pacifico indicates that several multinationals have also set up office in the PPSEA. The area is now home to 154 companies, 5,400 employees and eight Fortune 500 companies. And companies located in the international business park benefit from designation as a special economic area.

Jamaica meantime is just rolling out its Caymanas Economic Zone project, on which bids have opened, while the highway link construction got under way in December. The expansion of the seaport is yet to launch.

Locally, analysts believe that this facility in Panama and other preparations being made to welcome mega liners post 2015 in countries, such as The Bahamas and Cuba, are unlikely to divert business from Jamaica if the multi-modal transport and logistics hub is in place.

The Panama Canal expansion will open up links to 'key markets' in Europe, the United States and Asia.

"Jamaica, however, has a few comparative advantages such as a more strategic location linking the key markets, and also existing capacity which could be utilised with the canal expansion," said Christopher Tufton, co-executive director of the Caribbean Policy Research Institute (CaPRI) and a former minister of industry.

World Bank To Help Find Funding For Logistics Hub

The World Bank Group has pledged to help Jamaica identify sources of funding from within the Group for specific aspects of the proposed Global Logistics Hub.

The World Bank Group representative to Jamaica Giorgio Valentini, who made the announcement yesterday, praised the hub as transformational and said in addition to shipping and trade, all other areas of the Jamaican economy will benefit.

Speaking at a press briefing in Kingston Mr Valentini said the hub is not solely about Jamaica’s port, as it will involve many areas that will significantly enhance the country’s potential for growth.

He says thousands of jobs will have to be created to support the logistics hub and suggests that Jamaica begin to look towards the training of human capital to fuel the needs of the hub.

Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/latest/article.php?id=42766

World Bank to Provide Assistance on Logistics Hub Project (http://www.jis.gov.jm/news/leads/32965)

The Government is to receive technical assistance from the World Bank in preparing a master plan to take advantage of investment and other opportunities coming out of the logistics hub project.

World Bank representative to Jamaica, Giorgio Valentini, said the World Bank Group has been working closely with the Industry, Investment and Commerce Ministry over the past month and a half to determine how best to take advantage of Jamaica’s competitive edge in terms of attracting specific investments, among other things.

“The only thing to do right now is to set up some kind of an action plan under which we can help you. You’re already doing a lot of work in terms of going out and reaching people and I think that we can also bring companies over here to invest, so we are looking forward to help you with the master plan,” he stated at a recent press conference at the Ministry’s New Kingston offices.

Development of the proposed transshipment and logistics hub is being undertaken by the Government in a bid to position Jamaica to take advantage of the anticipated increased maritime activities from the expansion of the Panama Canal, by 2015.

Mr. Valentini said that there is interest from partners from many industries to come to Jamaica following the expansion of the canal to set up their headquarters “and I think that the country now needs to prepare for it”.

According to the World Bank Representative, the project has the potential to transform Jamaica’s economy. He stated that not only will it boost transshipment activities, but also yield significant benefits for several industries such as Information and Communications Technology (ICT).

“So, you can become much more efficient and effective in that (ICT) and maybe become an exporter of services for ICT, but also look at manufacturing,” he pointed out.

Kingston Container Terminal

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2277/1792660837_fa9fdf7e78_z.jpg?zz=1
G~r~e~G ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/elser2/)

http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1139/1185343361_e1928c6af1_z.jpg?zz=1
CharleneCollins.JamaicaImages ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/wisugar/)

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5129/5368486698_4cd857ba0d_z.jpg
[URL=" http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomraven/"] tomraven[/ URL ]

Noranda To Invest US$20m In St Ann Port
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20130222/business/images/BauxiteA20041206ng.jpg
Noranda Aluminum Holding Corporation plans to double its initial investment plan for its Discovery Bay port expansion to US$20 million.

The scope will also be widened from dredging to include infra-structure works.

The United States-based company with local operations in St Ann told shareholders this week that it "plans to extend that project from US$11 million to up to US$20 million, and to expand the scope to include improvements in railing infra-structure used in its bauxite-mining operation".

Noranda expects to substantially complete the project by the end of 2013.

Last July, the company announced the project to expand harbour capacity at Port Rhodes in Discovery Bay, St Ann. The project scope originally consisted principally of harbour dredging.

Noranda, meantime, reported full-year 2012 net income of US$49.5 million, compared to net income of US$140.9 million in 2011.

Read more here: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20130222/business/business2.html

More cruise-ship visitors projected for 2013 (http://www.hospitalityjamaica.com/news1.html)

1.35 million passengers expected

Janet Silvera, Hospitality Jamaica Coordinator

The Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) is projecting that 1.35 million cruise-ship passengers will call on the island in 2013, and are cautiously optimistic that figure could be higher.

In an interview with Hospitality Jamaica on Monday, vice-president, cruise shipping and marina operations at the PAJ, William Tatham, revealed that Falmouth, the model port, expects to host some 650,000 passengers, Ocho Rios 400,000 and Montego Bay, 250,000.

Last year, the PAJ forecast some 1.25 million cruise-ship passengers would visit the country's shores, 100,000 less than 2013, said Tatham. Although still uncertain of the final tally at the end of 2012, he estimates that the country may have welcomed an average of 1.3 million this past year.
.........................................................................................................................................
Currently, Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Costa, Princess, Holland America, MSC Mediterranean Cruise Shipping (MSC) and Celebrity call on the three main ports. As of October, Disney will join the impressive list, after almost 10 years of courting.

St. Thomas Residents Welcome Proposed Cow Bay Development
(http://www.jis.gov.jm/news/leads-107/33262)
MONDAY, 18 MARCH 2013 11:36

St. Thomas residents are welcoming news of the proposed commodity port at Cow Bay, near Yallahs, as part of the Government’s proposed global logistics hub.

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Anthony Hylton, told residents that Cow Bay has one of the deepest harbours in the world, at a natural depth of 51 metres. This, he said, gives it an advantage in the role it will play in the global logistics hub.

“Our focus on Cow Bay is that it should be a commodity port in which huge volumes of grain and wheat and energy, oil, natural gas can be stored or even processed,” Minister Hylton said.

He was addressing business persons at a St. Thomas Chamber of Commerce forum on the Jamaica Logistics Hub Initiative, held at the Whispering Bamboo Cove Retreat, on March 14.

The Minister sought to assure business persons that the parish will not be left behind when the hub is being developed, and they must begin to prepare themselves to participate in the discussions that will come soon. He advised the Parish Council to begin to organize, think and plan for the hub.

Port of Kingston
http://static.panoramio.com/photos/large/50469512.jpg
http://static.panoramio.com/photos/large/50466412.jpg
http://static.panoramio.com/photos/large/50469559.jpg
Source ( http://www.ugo.cn/photo/JM/pt/294.htm)

Reynold's Pier - St. Ann
http://www.filmjamaica.com/sites/default/files/images/galleries/Reynold%27s%20Pier%20%282%29.jpg
http://www.filmjamaica.com/sites/default/files/images/galleries/Reynold%27s%20Pier%20%283%29.jpg
http://www.filmjamaica.com/sites/default/files/images/galleries/Reynold%27s%20Pier%20%284%29.jpg
http://www.filmjamaica.com/sites/default/files/images/galleries/Reynold%27s%20Pier%20%286%29.jpg
http://www.filmjamaica.com/sites/default/files/images/galleries/Reynold%27s%20Pier%20%281%29.jpg
Film Jamaica (http://www.filmjamaica.com/locations/piers-docks/reynolds-pier-st-ann)

Montego Bay Yacht Club
http://www.filmjamaica.com/sites/default/files/images/galleries/Montego%20Bay%20Yacht%20Club%20%284%29.jpg
http://www.filmjamaica.com/sites/default/files/images/galleries/Montego%20Bay%20Yacht%20Club%20%2814%29.jpg
http://www.filmjamaica.com/sites/default/files/images/galleries/Montego%20Bay%20Yacht%20Club%20%282%29.jpg
http://www.filmjamaica.com/sites/default/files/images/galleries/Montego%20Bay%20Yacht%20Club%20%281%29.jpg
Film Jamaica (http://www.filmjamaica.com/locations/piers-docks/montego-bay-yacht-club)

Residents hope Cow Bay development plans will include them ( http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/What-about-us_13977680)

What about us? BY INGRID BROWN Associate editor — Special assignment browni@jamaicaobserver.com
Monday, April 01, 2013

THE proposed commodity port at Cow Bay has gained the interest of the business community, but residents in neighbouring Albion are wondering how the plans will affect them.

Although the Minister of Industry Investment and Commerce Anthony Hylton has met with the business community, residents in the Albion environs said they are being kept in the dark about the development and are wondering what implications it will have for the residential community.

Beverly Grant, who operates a shop on the beach at Cow Bay, said they are hoping that any plan for the area will allow them to continue to earn a living.

"We see the big man dem come and ah look all the time and wi trying fi ask dem a ting or two because wi ah try figure out what is going to happen," Grant said.

Fellow fisherfolk Irving Johnson and Everton Blake said they, too, are curious about the proposed development is for the area where they have eked out a living for generations.

"This is where wi mek wi living so we waan fi know what is to happen to us," Johnson said.

Grant, meanwhile, said she is not convinced the development will occur anytime soon.

"Wi hear a tittle talking and dem say di big ship weh ah go come a Cow Bay nah build before 2016, but wi nuh really know nutten else," she said.

Port of Kingston
http://eimg.mod.gov.cn/MiltaryExchanges/attachement/jpg/site22/20111031/13357023a9943102651398.jpg
Source ( http://eng.mod.gov.cn/MiltaryExchanges/2011-10/31/content_4310265_2.htm)

Wow, the Port of Kingston is pretty big! Thanks for the pics nigel!

^^
Yeah, there are current plans to expand the Port of Kingston before the expansion of the Panama canal in 2015.

Port of Kingston
http://198.66.229.16/images/kct-2014.jpg
Preparing KCT for 2014 ( http://www.portjam.com/nmCMS.php?p=fexpansion)
You can see the available space from the image above which could be used to increase the capaciy of the port.

Port Esquivel, St Catherine
http://cdn2.shipspotting.com/photos/middle/7/4/1/979147.jpg
Source ( http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=979147)

Cruise ship arrivals decline in February ( http://rjrnewsonline.com/business/cruise-ship-arrivals-decline-in-february)

7:13 am, Thu April 18, 2013

New data show Jamaica's cruise ship ports have recorded a decline in arrivals.

According to information from the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) and published by Bloomberg, fewer cruise ship passengers arrived at Falmouth, Ocho Rios and Montego Bay in February. The total number of arrivals stood at 139,879, down from 179,910 in January.

Kingston Wharves enters agreement with Shipping service Limited ( http://rjrnewsonline.com/business/kingston-wharves-enters-agreement-with-shipping-service-limited)

7:15 am, Thu April 25, 2013

Kingston Wharves Limited has made a major acquisition in preparation for the Global Logistics Hub. The company on Wednesday announced that it has entered an agreement with Shipping Services Limited to acquire its stevedoring operations. The purchase will be financed by Kingston Wharves' internal resources.

Shipping Services has operated as a leading stevedore at the port of Kingston for more than 10 years. The investment by Kingston Wharves forms part of its strategic plan to participate in the development of a full service logistics hub at the Port of Kingston.

The acquisition will allow its terminal to expand and improve the range of services offered to shipping lines that call the Port of Kingston. The Government is planning to complete the Global Logistics Hub in time for the widening of the Panama Canal in 2015.

Davies reports progress in privatization of Kingston Container Terminal ( http://rjrnewsonline.com/business/davies-reports-progress-in-privatization-of-kingston-container-terminal)

4:58 pm, Wed May 8, 2013

Dr. Omar Davies, Minister of Transport, Works and Housing, has reported that progress is being made with the privatization of the Kingston Container Terminal. An Enterprise Team was established in December under the chairmanship of Derick Latibeaudiere, former Governor of the Bank of Jamaica.

Dr. Davies provided an update on the privatization during his contribution to the Sectoral Debate in Parliament on Tuesday.

“The privatization is being undertaken on a public/private partnership initiative using a limited tender approach for the selection of the concessionaire investor partner. The process is well underway. The objective is to modernize and expand the port; to capitalize on opportunities which will come about through the expansion and modernization of the Panama Canal,” said Dr. Davies.

Is there any opposition to the privatization?

No, privatization would allow for further capital injection in the port of Kingston as well as well needed revenue for the government of Jamaica. The government is unable to provide the capital needed to expand and modernize the port, so that's one one the reasons why it's being privatized.

That's great, similar situation we have with our main international airport. People here have a phobia with that term. It's a shame because it would be a way out for some of our troubled public corporations as well.

Agreed. The Montego Bay international airport was privatized in 2003 and we're looking to do the same to the Norman Manley international airport before the end of fiscal year 2013/2014(March 31, 2014).