KINGSTON, Jamaica — Prime Minister Andrew Holness today announced that Cabinet has approved the development of a cruise shipping terminal at Port Royal creating a platform for the restoration of cruise shipping in the Port of Kingston.

He said there are also plans to implement the return of the ferry in Kingston.

Holness was making his contribution to the 2018 budget debate in the House of Representatives, where he said that he has given a directive that the Port Authority of Jamaica should seek to develop Kingston as a port of call for cruise shipping.

He said Port Royal is one of the most fascinating locations in the entire Caribbean, with well over 500 years of incredible history, full of the most interesting characters to ever have lived.

The prime minister added that the Port Authority is also undertaking a number of developments at the Freeport Terminal in Montego Bay to respond to the growth in demand for cruise and cargo services.

“I am particularly proud of the work we are doing in the historic town of Falmouth to develop an authentic tourism product by including the people,” he added. “There is serious and significant investor interest in developing the cruise shipping product in Ocho Rios. I will not say too much at this stage but great things are in store for Ocho Rios,” he disclosed.