KINGSTON, Jamaica — Kingston Freeport Terminal Limited (KFTL) is ramping up its modernisation and expansion efforts with the introduction of two state-of-the-art ship-to-shore cranes valued at almost US$24 million, marking another milestone in its ongoing transformation to position Jamaica as a leading logistics hub in the region.

According to KFTL’s Chief Executive Officer, Carlos Cabrera, the new cranes are designed to handle larger vessels of up to 15,000 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units), significantly boosting the terminal’s operational capacity and regional competitiveness.

“Out of our 16 cranes, only two had the capability to work the larger vessels that call our region,” Cabrera explained. “These new cranes will allow us to efficiently serve the 15,000 TEU vessels that are becoming the standard for mainline shipping routes from Asia. This big investment makes us more competitive in the region.”

The crane installation forms part of a broader modernisation push that includes a US$80 million expansion of KFTL’s Westlands area to increase yard capacity, as well as the renewal of its straddle carrier fleet. Over the last three years, the terminal has added more than 45 new straddle carriers, each costing over US$1 million, as part of a larger investment in efficiency and sustainability.

KFTL’s expansion has been matched by significant workforce development. Since 2021, the company’s staff has grown from 850 to over 1,400 employees, supported by comprehensive training programmes.

“We’ve trained more than 600 people in the last three years across different categories,” the CEO noted. “To operate these two new cranes, we even sent operators and technicians to China for pre-commissioning and training. Those operators that we sent over there are part of the trainers now developing the capabilities [of] all of our other operators.”

KFTL also plans to introduce a simulator to further enhance training and operational safety, allowing operators to practice in realistic conditions.

The port has recorded a 55 per cent increase in volume over the past four years, growing from fewer than 900,000 moves in 2021 to a projected 1.4 million in 2025. With new infrastructure and equipment coming online, KFTL anticipates an additional 30 per cent growth in throughput within the next five years.

However, maintaining competitiveness remains a constant challenge. Cabrera pointed out that while Jamaica’s geographic location is advantageous, the island’s smaller domestic market means KFTL must continue offering world-class efficiency and pricing to retain transshipment business that could easily shift to larger regional players such as Colombia.

Acknowledging the increasing threat of severe weather, KFTL has strengthened its hurricane preparedness protocols. The terminal was able to weather Hurricane Beryl last year without losing a single container, a testament to its stringent safety measures.

“Every major storm causes interruptions,” said Cabrera. “It pretty much takes us up to an entire week to recover from a single day of shutdown, but we have good preparation and we have to keep on trying to improve on our wrap up times.”

To reduce its environmental footprint, KFTL has invested in hybrid, low-sulphur straddle carriers that are 50 per cent more efficient, part of a broader push toward carbon neutrality in alignment with its parent company, CMA CGM.

Internally, the company has been working to build morale and promote from within, introducing a productivity incentive programme that rewards employees with up to a nine per cent salary increase tied to performance.

KFTL has also collaborated closely with the Port Authority of Jamaica and Jamaica Customs Agency, achieving a 30 per cent reduction in truck turnaround times this year, a key milestone in improving overall port efficiency.

“It’s about continuous improvement,” Cabrera concluded. “We don’t see any achievement as final. Once we meet one target, we have to keep on improving.”