The Caribbean’s leading multi-purpose terminal, Kingston Wharves Limited will now manage and facilitate terminal operations for Höegh Autoliners’ recently opened Transshipment Hub in Kingston, Jamaica. “With the advanced technology, infrastructure and state-of-the-art equipment that we possess, our facility will be providing critical support to the hub’s operations”, outlined Mr. Grantley Stephenson, Chairman and CEO - Kingston Wharves Limited. This dynamic initiative by Höegh Autoliners, the primary global provider of “roll on/roll off” (RO/RO) vehicle transportation services, will improve the transit time for the East Asia-US trade.  Previously, the hub was located in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

To commemorate the official opening of the new Caribbean Transshipment Hub, Höegh Autoliners in collaboration with International Shipping Limited and Kingston Wharves Limited recently hosted local automotive dealers, industry leaders and other stakeholders at a reception onboard the Höegh Caribia, in Kingston on its maiden port call. The enthused crew of the Höegh Caribia led tours of the new 140-metre long feeder vessel capable of transporting 1,940 motor vehicle units, in addition to 53 Mafi Trailers. A small replica of the new state-of the-art vessel was given to guests as a token.

Mr. Stephenson as he recapped the journey that led to the manifestation of this new hub stated, “several years ago Kingston Wharves requested all the shipping agents representing car carriers to collaborate with us in an effort to establish a vehicle transshipment hub here in Kingston. International Shipping saw the opportunity grabbed it with both hands and pursued it vigorously and here we are this afternoon launching this service.”

Initially, it is expected that the transshipment of approximately 15,000 to 20,000 cars and large motor vehicles including trucks, buses and earth-moving equipment will be facilitated by Kingston Wharves Limited on a yearly basis. As global economies recover in the long term it is anticipated that these figures will increase. Kingston Wharves Limited expects that the increased business to be generated by this new venture will have a positive impact on the country’s economy as it is a net foreign exchange earner. In addition, an increase of activity is anticipated for key players including the pilots, tugs, stevedores and shipping agents.

For the first time in the history of the Jamaican shipping industry, there will be a vehicle carrier service direct from Europe to Kingston.  “We at Höegh Autoliners see this as a start of a new era for us in the Caribbean and we are very enthusiastic about starting on this new set up here in Jamaica," expressed Mr. Tore Listad, Owners Representative, South America - Höegh Autoliners. The new hub will continue to offer first class service for on-carriage to Suriname, Guyana, Trinidad, French Guiana, Bahamas, Grand Cayman, and a full scope of other destinations.

Minister of Transport and Works, Hon. Mike Henry in his address, lauded Höegh Autoliners for choosing Jamaica. He noted that he was full of appreciation and overwhelmed by what he was seeing. “I want to emphasize that when I speak of the multi-model transshipment hub I do not speak of it for the Caribbean, I speak of it for the world”, he stressed.  Additionally, the Minister made reference to Jamaica’s unique location and noted that, “the international world of shipping in its analysis has shown that using Jamaica as a transshipment port not for the Caribbean alone, will reduce the delivery (time) of goods, by two to four days compared with anywhere else in the world.”

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