Opposition Spokesperson on Trade and Global Logistics Anthony Hylton has criticised the Government’s "inaction and lack of vision" as ships remain stranded at sea due to persistent congestion at the Port of Kingston. Hylton noted that the failure to address logistics infrastructure and Jamaica’s trade imbalance has left vessels unable to dock, further exacerbating delays and supply chain disruptions. The Port Authority of Jamaica attributed the congestion to a surge in cargo volumes and disrupted shipping schedules, which have forced some ships to bypass the port entirely.

Gov’t ‘ineptitude’ responsible for Kingston port congestion – Hylton

Jamaica Gleaner/23 Dec 2024/Editorial@gleanerjm.com

OPPOSITION SPOKESPERSON on Trade and Global Logistics Anthony Hylton is blaming the annual Christmas congestion at the port of Kingston on what he labelled the Government’s “inaction, ineptitude, and lack of vision” in capitalising on the port’s potential.

Describing the port as a “global and local asset”, Hylton argued that there is need for urgent action to address longstanding issues.

“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 in a statement issued yesterday.

He argued that while global shipping uncertainties contribute to the congestion, Jamaica’s failure to develop logistics infrastructure around the Port of Kingston has been the key barrier.

According to him, the shortfall undermines the port’s resilience and flexibility, preventing it from becoming a major logistics hub.

“We must act urgently to take the port to the next level,” he said.

Last week, the Port Authority of Jamaica said current congestion at the port resulted from a drastic increase of cargo volumes as well as disruptions in mainliner service schedules.

That statement followed a complaint from businessman Richard Pandohie, the head of one of the country’s largest distribution and manufacturing companies.

“Supply-chain challenges are as bad now as it was in COVID … many ships anchored in harbour waiting to offload, not to mention how many bypassing Jamaica because of congestion,” Pandohie said in a post on social media site X last Wednesday.

Yesterday, Hylton also criticised the Government for its handling of the logistics hub initiative and the Caymanas Special Economic Zone.

“This failure is compounded by the lack of new, significant investments,” he added.

He said the challenges are a key constraint on Jamaica’s economic growth, particularly affecting micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises.

Senator Aubyn Hill, minister of industry, investment and commerce, last week, dismissed Hylton’s criticisms of the Government’s purported inaction in advancing Jamaica’s interest in developing a global logistics hub.

Hill pointed to a recent announcement by Professor Gordon Shirley, chairman of the Port Authority, that the Government of Jamaica is about to start the derisking buildout of the Caymanas Special Economic Zone.

Hylton, a former industry minister who was in charge of logistics under the previous People’s National Party administration, faced criticism at the time for a botched multibillion-dollar logistics hub proposal.

Last month, he said a future PNP administration would update and implement the World Bank-funded logistics hub master plan for Jamaica “within the first 100 days” of taking office.

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