AFTER 16 years of partnership, the Kingston Wharves Limited (KWL) and Höegh Autoliners and Shipping Limited (HASL) have marked a new milestone with the arrival of the Höegh Pacific vessel, which officials say will boost Jamaica’s logistics sector and provide new employment prospects.

Kingston Wharves Corporate Services and Client Experience Manager Simone Murdock told journalists aboard the Höegh Pacific — which was making its maiden call with cargo at the port in Kingston on Tuesday — that the partnership between both companies has allowed the KWL to significantly increase its capacity to handle motor vehicle transshipments over the years.

She noted that the company moved from 2,000 cars in its first year to handling over 100,000 vehicles annually.

“We have always handled motor vehicles, but 16 years ago we took the opportunity to basically move in a very bold way into motor vehicle transshipments, and we were sufficiently lucky to have a partner such as Höegh International Shipping that saw the potential in Kingston…And we have seen that blossom over the 16 years into what we’re doing now, which is in the hundreds of thousands cars per annum,” said Murdock.

She also highlighted that the vessel represented a modern and efficient addition to maritime transport in the Caribbean and Latin America, while also positioning Jamaica as a regional and global logistics hub.

“Certainly, the relationship that Kingston Wharves has with Höegh, and the other auto liners that call in Kingston, is that we operate as a hub. So the main liners that come out of Asia and Europe and out of the United States come here, and they basically transship cargo, [for instance] cars being manufactured in the west going to as far east and south as Australia and going vice versa. What it represents for Jamaica is that we are realising our logistics goal, our logistics dream,” said Murdock.

She added that the venture between the two companies would also provide Jamaica with a significant economic boost, especially as the KWL is in talks to expand its Tinson Pen location, which she says, can grow to over 500,000 motor moves, and facilitate employment of some 200 people within the next two years.

According to trade planner at the HASL American Short Sea Division Jose Tello, the vessel was specifically built to further assist and supply its Caribbean network.

He explained that because of the vessel’s small size it is suited to handle river ports, which previously prevented operations in some Caribbean countries.

Tello added that its size did not compromise the carrier’s capacity, noting that the vessel was built to meet the efficiency required for the future of transshipments.

“She is able to fit around 2,400 car equivalent units (CEU) and then as far as cargo, we should probably fit about 2,000 units altogether at any given point. This vessel is built for the future; meaning, the decks are reinforced, the ramps are reinforced, all to be able to handle hybrid vehicles as well as EVs [electric vehicles]. She is also what is known as a shallow draft vessel, and what that means is that she is able to enter river ports,” said Tello as he expressed confidence in the economic contribution of the vessel to the Caribbean region.

“So we’re talking about an increase in influx of Asian cargo, an increase in influx of cargo coming from Africa, from Europe. This vessel allows us to better meet and facilitate a product that the customers need and want. That is a complete one and all product that not everybody can produce. This vessel increases our ability to do that — not just doubles it, but even triples it,” added Tello.