Two months after Hurricane Beryl brought Jamaica’s Rocky Point Port operations to a grinding halt,  activities there have resumed with an alumina ship already loaded with over 30,000 tons of alumina. 

The devastating storm on July 3 damaged the port’s infrastructure, rendering the alumina conveyor system inoperable and preventing ship loading.

This swift recovery is a significant achievement and must be attributed to the herculean effort of Jamalco’s employees and the local and international contractors. The team worked around the clock since the day after the hurricane completing the repairs without any safety incidents and in record time — just two months, a feat that would normally take six months.

The restoration project which cost approximately US$10 million has significant implications and marks a major milestone in the company’s efforts to restore full functionality.

Managing Director, Marvin Jackson hailed the resumption of shipping as a crucial step forward for the organization. “The restart of alumina shipping from the Port is a vital component of our business, and we are thrilled to be back online ahead of schedule. This means we can now meet our commitments to customers, ensure a stable supply chain, and drive growth for our company.”

Jackson heaped commendations on everyone involved noting that “we are proud of our team’s tireless efforts to restore operations, and this achievement demonstrates our resolve and unwavering commitment to excellence”.

He added, “We assembled a talented team, and I am proud they completed the work ahead of schedule and incident-free.” Jackson added that the resumption of shipping also marks a significant step towards ensuring Jamalco’s operations are more resilient and efficient.

During the period that the Port was out of service, Jamalco ensured uninterrupted supply to its customers by trucking alumina to a nearby port for shipment. This temporary solution enabled the company to partially achieve its commitments despite the challenging circumstances. 

Civil Engineer and Project Manager, Melanie Thwaites attributed the rapid progress to the team’s dedication and expertise and the support of the three large barges and 350-ton crane from Virginia, which facilitated debris removal from the sea floor and preparatory work. “The restored dock and supporting structure are now stronger and bigger, with 36-foot-wide piles installed to support the trestle system and a reinstated 2000-foot conveyor belt,” she said.

Phase two of the repairs will focus on upgrading the conveyor belt to a higher elevation to protect it from future hurricane-generated waves.

As the Rocky Point Port, built over six decades ago, continues to serve as a vital interface between the refinery and ships, Jamalco’s customers in North America can look forward to uninterrupted alumina supply.