A naturally safe and favorable port is there for cargo ships.
A harbor that is safe for container ships and can accumulate large vessels is considered ideal for the import and export of goods. Such a port gives surety of the safe arrival of ships and safety of the containers. Kingston is one of such harbors that is a naturally coastal area and almost landlocked. Its area is 16 km in longitude and 3.2 km wide. It offers a stable ground for the accommodation of large ships even close to the shore. The harbor is large enough to entertain over 500 feet vessel size with turning facility and excellent shelter. It is ranked as the seventh largest harbor in the world.
Available facilities:
The port offers many basic facilities that give it a plus point. There are cranes available to carry a load of 100 plus tons. These cranes are both fixed and mobile. The long shore port service is available as well as electrical repair and navigational equipment is also present.
Provisions:
The basic requirements of the ships are all supplied at the Kingston port as, fuel oil, deck, water, diesel oil and engine are all present if required for the maintenance of the ship at the spot. Although the ship repairs are limited but they can provide with the first aid for the ship. The marine railroad size is medium and dry-dock size is small. There is proper garbage disposal at the port which means a clean environment and surrounding.
Communication sources:
Almost all types of communication services are present at the port. These include telephone, radio, air, telegraph, radio tel and rail. Especially the air facility is very feasible if others fail this can be very handy when e.g. there is a major failure in the ship and cannot be fixed temporarily one can send a message back home for its repair.
Distributions Services:
For improved distribution services the authorities have decided and set in action to make the port a commercial free zone and distribution Hub. The distribution and logistic services are being planned to become a major service and revenue centre. The cargo or the imports will be shifted from the terminal to the zone and from there the procedure of stripping, repacking and consolidating will be carried out and then forwarding to the companies or clients anywhere in the world, duty free.
New Opportunities:
It is said that the expansion of Panama Canal will prove to be a business enhancer for the Kingston Port. It will prove to be a growth opportunity for the port as well as the regional industry. The Concession Agreement for partnership with terminal link CMA CGM will help in the expansion of the terminal route of Kingston Container Terminal if there is timely financial provision, networking with international counterparts to attract business to Jamaica and improved efficiency through proper technology.
Kingston Container Terminal Ltd:
The Port Authority of Jamaica owns Kingston Container Terminal which is run by the company Kingston Container Terminal Ltd.
KCT is considered one of the major transshipment ports which consists of three ports the north, south and west terminal. More lands are being acquired to lift the capacity of the port from current 1.5 million to 3.2 million.
