Noel Hylton last week attributed his port development achievements across Jamaica to teamwork and said he was looking forward to the completion, by year-end, of phase four of the Kingston port’s multi-million dollar expansion.

Hylton, president and CEO of the Port Authority of Jamaica, made the remarks Tuesday night after accepting the Shipping Association of Jamaica’s Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his contribution to the growth and development of Jamaica’s shipping industry.

“The vision for the port of Kingston started in 1966 when a number of us thought that we should capitalise on Jamaica’s geographical location,” Hylton told guests at the long service awards banquet at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston.

He hailed the island’s three major trade unions at the time for sharing the vision and demonstrating their commitment by signing a historic labour contract that allowed for the smooth introduction of mechanisation at the port.

“Today, our port is recognised as one of the most stable in the world,” Hylton said, adding that the port of Kingston is ranked 53rd of the world’s top 100 ports, handling approximately 10,000 containers every day.

Hylton, an aviation expert, served as CEO and chairman of the Ports Authority of Jamaica in the early 1970s and during his tenure established three freezones, spearheaded the modernisation of the island’s ports and oversaw the US$80-million expansion of Gordon Cay.

At the awards ceremony, a video recording showed former prime minister Edward Seaga, current prime minister P J Patterson and the transport and works minister Robert Pickersgill paying glowing tributes to Hylton’s contribution to Jamaica.

He was described as a “visionary”, “consummate public servant” and “ultimate professional”.

Said Pickersgill: “The shipping industry and Jamaica are the beneficiaries of his diligence and hard work.”