KINGSTON, Jamaica – People’s National Party (PNP) spokesperson on industry, investment, trade & global logistics, and Member of Parliament, Anthony Hylton, says the government’s inaction and lack of vision is to blame for the annual Christmas congestion at the Port of Kingston.

“Until the cargo imbalance that characterises Jamaica’s trade situation is addressed, the annual congestion at the Port of Kingston will remain a source of frustration and risk to local importers, including manufacturers and distributors,” Hylton said.

While admitting that the current congestion stems partly from uncertainties in the global and regional shipping industry, Hylton says Jamaica’s inability to develop the logistics infrastructure in and around the port is the main issue.

Hylton maintained that addressing the cargo imbalance is essential for Jamaica’s economic growth. He argued that local importers are not being prioritised by mainline container carriers, whose focus remains on their transshipment business, despite sizable investments by various terminals aimed at mitigating supply chain challenges.

“The government’s failure to resolve this problem is a key constraint on Jamaica’s anaemic economic growth. This lack of resilience in local supply chains affects all businesses—particularly Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises—not just at Christmas but throughout the year,” Hylton concluded.