Jamaica – KWL invests more

An extra US$ 30 million could be ploughed into the third phase of the development of Kingston Wharves Limited (KWL). Original estimates of US$ 70 million have been increased to US$ 100 million (JM$ 11.6 billion) in response to higher demand for its logistics services.

To date around US$ 8 million has been spent on the expansion program, which will be completed in 2019. Construction is expected to start before year-end of a 160,000 sq ft logistics complex with individual units of 10,000 sq ft for manufacturing, distribution and logistics companies. It is expected to be opened by 2018. While acquisition of further post panamax cranes is in the budget, the focus for 2015 has been on expanding port boundaries and building on the free zone status.

KWL currently has capacity for 450,000 teu. It handles about 200,000 teu per year but has set its sights on handling 1 million teu by 2019. In 2016 the container yard will be reconfigured and the new logistics IT system will be rolled out. Dredging of the harbor to handle post panamax vessels will continue through to 2017.

KWL is leased by the Port Authority of Jamaica on a 30-year concession to a consortium made up of CMA CGM and Terminal Link.