The Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ) has appointed Terrence Brooks as its newest general manager.

Brooks, who succeeds Trevor Riley, the longest-serving chief executive in the SAJ’s history, will assume the role effective April 1.

SAJ president Corah Ann Robertson-Sylvester thanked Riley for his leadership of the association since 2003, citing his instrumental role in strengthening the organisation’s resilience, diversifying its services, and positioning it to navigate global shifts in the logistics industry.

Riley, who joined the SAJ in October 2003, will transition from his role on March 31, to focus on his position as chief executive officer of the SAJE Group and its subsidiaries —a member-owned investment entity Riley has concurrently managed alongside his SAJ responsibilities.

Robertson-Sylvester expressed confidence in Brooks’ leadership, noting his working knowledge of the shipping and logistics sectors and his longstanding dedication to the association.

“Terrence has demonstrated strategic vision and an unwavering commitment to the SAJ’s mission of supporting and advancing Jamaica’s maritime industry. His track record of innovation and collaboration makes him the ideal candidate to lead the Association into its next phase of development,” she said.

Brooks joined the SAJ in 1995 as a summer worker and has served at several levels, most recently as deputy general manager and lead at SAJ Consultancy Group, the association’s HR services arm. Throughout his tenure, he has led initiatives and advocated for policies that protect the interests of port workers and strengthened partnerships with stakeholders.

His leadership of the SAJ’s Canine Detection Unit enhanced the unit’s capabilities and underscored the association’s role in safeguarding Jamaica’s reputation as a secure transhipment hub.

Under Brooks’ guidance, the SAJ’s consultancy arm has grown steadily, offering bespoke HR, industrial relations, and organisational development solutions to companies within the maritime and service industries. He was also instrumental in positioning the Association as a player in workforce development, spearheading training initiatives that have enhanced the capacity of the industry’s port workers and logistics professionals.

Commenting on his appointment, Brooks, a second-generation SAJ employee, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve in this new capacity.

“It is an honour to be entrusted with leading the Association with its rich history and sterling contribution to Jamaica’s maritime landscape for over 85 years,” he said.

“I look forward to working closely with our members, partners, and stakeholders as we continue to evolve, innovate, and contribute to the sustainable growth of our shipping and logistics industry,” he added.

The SAJ president says the association remains committed to its legacy of advocacy and service, with Brooks at the helm guiding the Association through this transformative era.

The SAJ has recently terminated its operations in labour supply for the Port of Kingston, a service it had provided since 1939. Changing industry dynamics prompted this shift, as port operators increasingly opted for in-house staffing solutions.

In response to these trends, the SAJ embarked on a 20-year transformation process to diversify its offerings and adapt to the evolving needs of the shipping industry in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean.