MINISTER OF Transport and Works, Robert Pickersgill, and Dr. Yoram Sebba, President of Zim Israel Navigation Company, yesterday signed a five-year agreement for Kingston to continue as the transshipment hub for Zim's operations in the Caribbean.
"This agreement provides a significant impetus for us to continue the expansion of the Port of Kingston," Mr. Pickersgill said. "We are focused on maintaining shipping as a leading contribution in our national economic profile, and this partnership with Zim translates into meaningful growth possibilities," he added.
The Port Authority of Jamaica has initiated a US$60 million expansion of the Kingston Container Terminal that will increase the port's capacity by 25 per cent to 1.5 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs)
Dr. Sebba noted that "Zim operates a complex feeder service in the Caribbean, with Kingston as the hub. Over the years, we have worked closely with the Port of Kingston to ensure the success and efficiency of our operations and we are very excited about the future. This new agreement secures a significant element in our geographic coverage."
According to a release, Zim recently completed its new building programme with large container vessels for a total investment of US$650 million. The new building programme will improve customer service and will increase the company's carrying capacity.
NEW VESSELS
The release said thirteen 5000 TEU vessels will constitute the fleet of Zim's first global service, which travels from Haifa through the West Mediterranean, US East Coast, Jamaica, US West Coast, Far East and back to Haifa. The new vessels will replace the present fleet of fifteen 3400 TEU container ships. The new fleet will reduce the round trip time from 105 to 91 days. This building programme has a crucial effect on the upgrade of main services in the company and is to increase the fleet capacity significantly.
Noel Hylton, President of the Port Authority said, "we've leveraged our superior location and the phase for expansion of the Kingston Container Terminal to add value to Zim's two global services, ZCS and AUX, and by doing so we've validated our position as a world class hub in the Caribbean."
KINGSTON IN TOP CATEGORY
In a recent survey, Kingston was listed in the top three of all international ports served by Zim. The survey examined the productivity of about 15 ports around the world and concluded that Kingston was the most improved.
The Port Authority is a statutory corporation and the principal maritime agency responsible for the regulation and development of Jamaica's port and shipping industry. It is responsible for the safety of all vessels navigating the ports of entry and regulation of the tariffs charged on goods passing through the public wharves.
Zim Israel Navigation Company is one of the largest container shipping companies in the world and the flagship of Israeli shipping. The company offers transportation services along most of the major international trading routes to customers throughout the world. From its corporate headquarters in Haifa, it operates an international system which combines sea, land and air transportation, enabling the company to provide fast, reliable, frequent and complete door-to-door services around the world.
