Industry leaders outline Jamaica’s path to becoming logistics powerhouse

RENOWNED SHIPPING analyst Lars Jensen took centre stage at the Shipping Association of Jamaica’s Distinguished Lecture Friday, November 1, presenting a compelling vision for Jamaica’s future as a major logistics hub in the Caribbean, and globally. Jensen’s keynote, titled ‘Jamaica as a Logistics Hub in a Changing Global Landscape’, addressed the significant challenges and prospects ahead for Jamaica’s port industry as it seeks to solidify its place on the world stage.

The Distinguished Lecture, held at the AC Marriott Hotel in Kingston as part of the Shipping Association of Jamaica’s 85th anniversary celebrations, aimed to explore the economic imperatives necessary for Jamaica to fulfil its ambition of becoming the fourth major node in the global logistics industry. The event, co-funded by the European Union and supported by its Global Gateway Initiative, welcomed approximately 200 stakeholders from the public and private sectors, representing varied industries.

Jensen identified several critical issues poised to shape global logistics over the coming decade, including decarbonisation pressures, intensified competition among transshipment hubs, and the impact of geopolitical protectionism on trade patterns. He emphasised that Jamaica’s path to success would depend on its ability to adapt to these forces and will require strategic investments in stable, resilient infrastructure and seamless logistics facilities that support efficient cargo cross-loading without Customs bottlenecks.

Minister of Industry, Investment, and Commerce Aubyn Hill, in his remarks, spoke to the significance of Jamaica’s strategic location within global trade and logistics, highlighting the economic opportunity it represents. “The logistics industry is valued at over £8.4 trillion globally and is projected to exceed £13.7 trillion by 2027,” Hill shared, underscoring Jamaica’s competitive advantage in serving as a nearshore hub for major markets. The Government’s goal, he noted, is to increase logistics’ share of GDP from its current two per cent to as much as seven per cent within the next decade, with the potential to create over 30,000 direct jobs and an additional 75,000 indirect roles across related industries.

The distinguished address by Jensen was further complemented by perspectives from other prominent leaders, including President of the Shipping Association of Jamaica, Corah Ann Robertson-Sylvester, who said: “We find ourselves at a defining crossroads — a moment where the choices we make today will shape the trajectory of our industry for decades to come. We stand on the cusp of tremendous opportunity, driven in part by our partnerships with international allies such as the European Union and their ambitious Global Gateway initiative.”

Robertson-Sylvester continued: “But let us be clear: the road ahead is not one we can travel passively. If we are to take our place as a world-class logistics hub, we must act decisively,” she said, adding, “Real progress will require a coordinated approach, involving both public and private sectors, to build the infrastructure, adopt the technologies, and create the policies that will support innovation, efficiency, and sustainability.”

Dr Erja Askola, the European Union’s recently appointed ambassador to Jamaica, praised Jamaica’s ambitions for Kingston’s port, which she first observed just weeks earlier. “It was only then that I understood the true dimension of Jamaica’s ambition to turn this port into something magnificent, something world-class,” she remarked. As a committed development partner, the European Union is supporting these goals through the Global Gateway initiative, designed to channel funding, green investments, and European expertise into impactful projects like those envisioned for Kingston. “The European Union stands ready to support Jamaica every step of the way. I believe that we are ready to move from vision to action,” she added.