JORGEN PALMBAK, general manager of APM Terminals Jamaica Limited, which manages the Kingston Container Terminal (KCT), has been transferred to take up a new appointment as project manager for the APM Terminals' facility being built in Norfolk, United States.
Mr. Palmbak has been in Kingston just over two years. He arrived after Danish-based APM Terminals formed an alliance with local company Amalgamated Stevedores Limited in 2002 to secure the five-year contract to operate and manage KCT on behalf of the Port Authority of Jamaica.
Prior to his arrival, Mr. Palmbak, who has background in the Royal Danish Navy, was the general manager for a Maersk Inc. subsidiary company in Uruguay (1998 - 2000) and terminal manager for Maersk's Terminal in Baltimore, U.S. (2000-2002).
Under his leadership, KCT has seen marked improvement in productivity, with container moves increasing from 17 to 27 moves per crane hour. He also introduced a number of strategies to enhance the terminal's overall competitiveness.
Commenting on his sojourn in Kingston, Palmbak notes: "It was wonderful living and working in Jamaica. The terminal's achievements were due to the teamwork from all members of staff."
He said although the KCT is now ranked among the first class ports worldwide, "there is still a lot of growth potential", while urging everyone to "continue the work to achieve greater heights."
Alan McCorkle, formerly of Maersk Sealand's and APM Terminals newest port - Pier 400 in Los Angeles will succeed Mr. Palmbak.
At the end of 2003, the terminal exceeded the one million twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) mark, which is considrered a milestone for the terminal. With a fourth phase of expansion under way, it is expected that capacity will improve by at least 25 per cent when the work is completed in 2005.
