While there had been little publicity recently about the plan to create a global logistical hub in Jamaica, the possiblity of developing a related industry is now being discussed.

Citing a number of significant advantages, Minister of Science, Energy and Technology Dr Andrew Wheatley is touting that a bright prospect is on the horizon for the development of Jamaica into a major bunker centre.

The projected rise in shipping traffic with the widening of the Panama Canal, the island’s geographical advantage and Jamaica being a major cargo centre all provide the opportunity for the country to capitalise on a greater demand for bunkering.

“Overall, we are seeking to ensure that Jamaica’s geographical advantage is leveraged to attract a sizeable shipping base, in order to create a large and growing base demand for bunkering; to ensure that players in the bunker supply chain are internationally competitive; and to ensure that the supply infrastructure can cater to an expanded demand for bunkering,” Wheatley argued.

“With the accommodation of bigger and more ships and other positive developments in future shipping traffic calling at Jamaica, we see great potential for bunkering in Jamaica.”

Bunker is generally applied to the storage of petroleum products in tanks, and the practice and business of refuelling ships.

Meanwhile, Wheatly, who was speaking at the inaugural Caribbean Bunker Conference at the Hyatt Ziva Hotel in St James on Wednesday, also pointed out that “the other source of demand on which we can capitalise is from cruise traffic”.

“Jamaica remains a premier cruise destination in the Caribbean. In 2017, visitor arrivals in Jamaica totalled 4.3 million, of which the cruise sector accounted for more than 1.9 million passengers,” he noted.

He further noted: “Ladies and gentlemen, our Jamaican ports handle cargo destined to and from North, Central and South America, Europe and Asia. We have a high level of shipping traffic, with over 90 per cent of our exports and imports being transported by ship.”

Additionally, Wheatley outlined that the thrust towards becoming a major bunkering centre will also “be advanced with the development of a core of ancillary ship-related services, which will allow us to capitalise on the cluster effect of a shipping hub”.

“ This will allow the bunkering sector to contribute to and benefit from the wider economic linkages with other ship-related activities such as dry-docking, crewing, ship registry, and other ship-related activities,” he argued.

“A lot of progress has already been made in terms of seafarer training, port development, and maritime administration.”