Jamaica is set to Become Box Line's Main Caribbean Cargo Hub

The world’s third largest box carrier, French group CMA CGM has signed an agreement with the Port Authority of Jamaica granting them the concession of Kingston Container Terminal for 30 years. The terminal consists of a total of 2,400 meters of wharf, an 80 hectare surface area.

The port is only 32 nautical miles off the main trade lines, which offers facilities minimal deviations to and from the Panama Canal. The French group CMA CMG plans to use 35-40% of the terminals capabilities itself, while offering full services to other lines trading through the region. The capacity at Kingston is going to be increased up to 3.6 million containers annually. It will also be equipped with 14 cranes and 60 port riders, turning Kingston into one of the Caribbean’s top five ports.

This new agreement was signed yesterday. (4/7/15) Speaking at the contract signing Farid T. Salem, CMA CGM Group Executive Officer said, “This is a key investment for the CMA CGM Group. With this terminal, the Group anticipates the Panama Canal widening, expected to be completed in 2016, and the entire area development that it will create. The CMA CGM Group therefore reaffirms its ambition to offer additional services to our core business, in order to improve our clients’ needs satisfaction.”