Much interest in Jamaica’s logistics and transshipment hub – Hylton

Anthony Hylton, Jamaica's Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, is reporting high expectations for the development of Jamaica’s global logistics and transshipment hub among stakeholders in the business and trading community worldwide.

Speaking on Tuesday at the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC's) Breakfast Forum in Kingston Mr. Hylton said this was the feedback from investors in Europe, Asia and Panama following discussions in recent weeks.

Development of the hub, which is estimated to cost US$8-US$10 billion, is being spearheaded by the government in an effort to position Jamaica to take advantage of the anticipated increase in maritime activities, expected to result from the expansion of the Panama Canal by 2015.

Central to the development are the dredging of the Kingston Harbour and the expansion of the Port of Kingston.

Plans are also on the drawing board for the development of the Caymanas Economic Zone, a transshipment commodity port at Cow Bay in St. Thomas; restoration of abandoned Vernamfield airbase in Clarendon as an air-cargo and passenger facility; as well as the establishment of a dry dock facility at Jackson Bay, also in Clarendon.