THE Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ) celebrates its 85th anniversary with a distinguished lecture that aims to position Jamaica as a leading global logistics hub.

The SAJ’s 85th Anniversary Distinguished Lecture is slated for the AC Hotel in Kingston on November 1.

Co-funded by the European Union and supported by its Global Gateway Initiative, the invitation-only event features a keynote address by renowned industry expert Lars Jensen, CEO of Vespucci Maritime, and will examine the theme ‘Jamaica as a Logistics Hub in a Changing Global Landscape’.

The event aims to identify the essential next steps for Jamaica to become a global logistics hub; address climate adaptation and low-carbon emissions challenges; analyse Jamaica’s competitive advantages and opportunities; explore the transformative forces shaping the logistics industry; identify opportunities for infrastructure development and inter-modal efficiency; and encourage dialogue and collaboration among industry and wider stakeholders.

The lecture will explore the factors that position Jamaica as a prime candidate for the next global logistics hub, including the essential steps needed to fulfill this ambition and address the challenges posed by climate change and the transition to green ports.

Additionally, two panel discussions — comprising regional and international sector leaders and specialists — will probe Jamaica’s logistics potential, and the development of Kingston as a climate-ready port. The experts will share their insights on the opportunities and complexities within the dynamic realm of international trade.

Panellists include Michiel Heleven and Manuela Garcia Zuluaga, of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges; CEO of Kingston Freeport Terminal Limited, Captain Jedrzej Mierzewski; Philip Julien, CEO of KenesJay Green Systems in Trinidad and Tobago; Professor Gordon Shirley, president of the Port Authority of Jamaica; Jeffrey Hall, chairman of Kingston Wharves Limited; and Patricia Francis, the chairman of the Trade Facilitation Task Force.

To support its thrust towards the nation’s logistics-focused future, the SAJ has invited government officials, industry leaders, academics, and professionals in logistics, shipping, and supply chain management who will have the opportunity to share insights, challenges and explore potential solutions.

EU Ambassador to Jamaica Dr Erja Askola said: “The European Union is proud to partner with Jamaica to help transform the Kingston Harbour into a 21st-century logistics hub in the Caribbean. To turn this vision into reality is a complex endeavour involving many key stakeholders from both the public and private sectors. We are delighted to work with the Shipping Association of Jamaica to bring them together for the first time in this conference to share insights, expertise and experiences. We are putting the EU’s Global Gateway in action to leverage funding, green investments and European expertise.”

For more than eight decades, the SAJ has been a driving force in the development of Jamaica’s shipping industry. Through advocacy, cooperation, and investment in research, the SAJ has played a decisive role in positioning Jamaica as a competitive maritime hub.

Lars Jensen is a seasoned industry expert with more than two decades of experience in container shipping. He has held leadership positions at major shipping companies including Maersk Line and Maersk Logistics and currently serves as the CEO of Vespucci Maritime. Jensen is renowned for his strategic insights and innovative approach to the shipping industry.

The European Union’s Global Gateway is a forward-looking strategy to create smart, sustainable, and secure connections across the globe. Designed to foster digital, energy, and transport links, as well as strengthen health, education, and research systems, Global Gateway aims to drive transformative change through high-quality investments.