The Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) has attributed the recent increase in congestion at the Kingston port to a combination of factors, including a surge in cargo volumes, disruptions in mainliner shipping schedules, geopolitical tensions, conflicts along major shipping routes, and adverse weather conditions.

Cargo volumes at the Kingston port have seen a substantial increase in recent years, with a 28 per cent growth from 2020 to 2022, followed by an additional 18.5 per cent growth between 2022 and 2024. These figures indicate that current cargo volumes are more than 50 per cent higher than pre-COVID-19 levels.

The PAJ stated, “This growth reflects significant investments in port infrastructure, equipment upgrades, and operational improvements by Kingston Freeport Terminal Limited (KFTL) and Kingston Wharves Limited, in collaboration with the PAJ and stakeholders in the port and shipping community such as the Shipping Association of Jamaica.”

However, the PAJ pointed out that periodic vessel queuing outside Kingston Harbour is mainly due to disruptions in mainliner schedules caused by geopolitical events and adverse weather. The PAJ disclosed, “In 2024, only nine per cent of the 172 mainliners processed in Kingston in 2024 to date have arrived on schedule, with just one of 11 mainliners arriving on time in November 2024.”

In response to these challenges, shipping lines have reduced regional stops, concentrating cargo at key ports and using feeder vessels for locations that have been bypassed. This strategy has contributed to longer container dwell times and higher congestion at transshipment terminals, including Kingston.

The PAJ noted ports with larger domestic cargo bases, such as Cartagena (Colombia) and Caucedo (Dominican Republic), often receive service priority over Kingston due to their higher local cargo demand.

To manage the increased demand, the PAJ introduced additional container pickup slots, though only 66 per cent of these are currently being utilised. Terminal operating hours have also been extended to include Saturdays. The PAJ stated, “To accommodate increased seasonal demand, additional container pickup slots have been introduced, with only 66 per cent currently utilised.”

Furthermore, the PAJ is finalising plans with KFTL to expand cargo storage areas, which is expected to reduce vessel wait times. The PAJ explained it is finalising agreements with KFTL to expand cargo storage areas, reducing vessel wait times, with construction expected to begin soon.

To further enhance capacity and infrastructure, the PAJ revealed plans to relocate domestic aviation operations from Tinson Pen to Norman Manley International Airport, along with rerouting Marcus Garvey Drive to facilitate port expansion.

The PAJ said, “This initiative involves partnerships with the Airports Authority of Jamaica and the National Works Agency. Groundbreaking for the 700-acre Caymanas Special Economic Zone is scheduled within three months.” Once fully operational, this logistics and industrial hub will feature dedicated transport links to Kingston’s terminals, “significantly boosting domestic cargo volumes.”