Yahneake Sterling, Staff Reporter
SHIPPING INTERESTS are bullish about growth in the industry. Peter Ford, general manager of APM Terminals Jamaica Ltd., says the company plans to increase container movement by 40 per cent this year over last.
He was speaking during an Editors' Forum held at The Gleaner Company's North Street office on Tuesday. Several representatives of the shipping industry, led by Shipping Association of Jamaica president, Michael Bernard, were in attendance.
Jamaica has been positioned as the next world maritime centre, and the Port of Kingston is set to be the next 'Dubai of the Americas', according to information supplied by the Shipping Association of Jamaica. In 2005, the ranking of Port of Kingston advanced eight places to 56, up from 64, among the world's top 100 container ports.
IMPROVED RANKING
According to Ford, APM Terminals, in partnership with Kingston Container Terminal, plans to increase container movement at the ports by 40 per cent, which will easily move Jamaica's ranking up to the top 50 or top 40 in the world.
Ford stated that significant growth is expected throughout this year, due to the arrival of the world's largest shipping line, Maersck Sealand. The first vessel, he said, is scheduled to arrive in the island on March 1.
"Since APM Terminals partnered with the Port Authority in February 2002, there has been an increase of lifts from about 600,000 to just under one million in 2005," Ford reported.
"To deal with expected increase in lifts (container movements) this year, the local and international headquarters of APM Terminals, along with the Port Authority, have since purchased new equipment, and done the necessary land and infrastructure development. APM Terminals is also in the process of recruiting, hiring and training 175 new employees," Ford added.
