HYLTON

The Port Authority of Jamaica has responsibility for the development and regulation of the country's public ports and for establishing the security profile of our ports.

Over the past year, the authority continued to work in concert with all stakeholders in the effort to make Jamaica the next international maritime centre, thus carving out our niche in the lucrative shipping industry, which drives international trade and the global economy.

Among noteworthy developments, Jamaica and the United States of America in June this year signed a memorandum of understanding preparatory to Jamaica commencing operations under the U.S. Container Security Initiative (CSI) Programme, within which U.S. customs officers are by mutual agreement placed in participating countries to pre-clear goods being shipped from those countries to the United States.

The Kingston Container Terminal is now the leading regional trans-shipment hub port and expansion works are now well under way to increase the rated capacity of the terminal from 1.5 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) to 3.2 million TEUs by the first quarter of 2008.

Increased demand

The PAJ has also seen increased demand at Jamaica's cruise ports. Over the first seven months of this year, 772,709 cruise passengers arrived at our cruise ports. This is 13 per cent higher than the corresponding period last year. This has no doubt been the result of PAJ working through its Cruise Jamaica brand with other Government agencies and private sector partners.

Activity in the maritime sector plays a critical role in the development of modern economies. In celebrating Maritime Awareness Week, the Port Authority is committed to redoubling its efforts with partners in the sector to advance its mission as 'developer and regulator of first-class facilities and services that ensure the sustainable growth of Jamaica's maritime industry and maximum satisfaction to all stakeholders.'

NOEL HYLTON, O.J.

President and CEO

of Port Authority

of Jamaica