ST JAMES, Jamaica (JIS) – Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Dr Horace Chang, says the Government is moving to convert the shipping ports in Montego Bay into a regional multipurpose port.

At a news conference after  touring  the cruise, commercial and liquefied natural gas (LNG) ports,  Chang said cruise shipping will form a major plank of the improvements to take place at the port.

“Significant investments (are) proceeding. The fuel terminal is being implemented at a cost of about US$175 million. It’s the first of its kind in the Caribbean,” the minister said.

Chang pointed out that the multipurpose port will also have a berth dedicated to cargo as well as additional berths for cruise shipping.

The LNG facility, which will supply gas to the Jamaica Public Service Bogue plant in Montego Bay, is expected to be completed by mid-September.

Chang noted that there are no plans to convert the facility into a container terminal.

“While we will be able to unload containers as we improve and expand the port and make it into a modern facility, it will be largely dedicated to domestic use. However, there will be direct shipping here and the opportunity will be available to our business people to not only import but to export to other Caribbean islands and the Central American region,” he said.

Chang said Montego Bay is fast becoming the most important home-porting facility in the region, based on its geographic location, and this is the basis on which serious focus is being placed on expanding and improving the cruise shipping facilities in the city.

“We expect cruise shipping to grow in Montego Bay and not just cruises coming through, but home-porting in particular,” he added.