The CMA CGM Group, one of the world’s top container shipping companies signed on April 7th, in Kingston – Jamaica, an agreement with the Port Authority of Jamaica granting the CMA CGM Group the concession of Kingston Container Terminal for 30 years, the company said in its press release.
With a total 2,400 meters of wharf, a 80 ha surface and 15.5 meters draught, Kingston Container terminal will increase its annual capacity up to 3.6 million TEU containers. It will be equipped with 14 gantry cranes and 60 port riders.
The terminal extension will turn Kingston into one of the Caribbean top five ports.
The Panama Canal, expected to be completed in 2016, will allow to deploy larger vessels, with 12,600 TEUs, in the area.
Located at the entrance of the canal, at the cross roads of the North/South and East/West lines, the new terminal will offer a deeper draught where larger vessels will be accommodated. The additional equipment planned will allow to develop transshipment operations via secondary lines in the entire area.
The terminal, where CMA CGM market share accounts for about 35 to 40%, will be open to all shipping lines benefitting from the same quality of services and treatment without discrimination.
With Kingston Container Terminal, the CMA CGM Group reinforces its presence in terminals. The CMA CGM Group has been operating 24 terminals worldwide and handles more than 14 million TEU each year via its two dedicated entities. They reinforce the Group’s additional services to maritime transport offer.
This investment is part of the CMA CGM Group global development plan in this world area, including new vessels more adapted to markets, as well as the creation of logistics platforms and the volume increase development in ports – for instance in the French Antilles.
About CMA CGM
CMA CGM, founded and led by Jacques R. Saadé is the world’s third largest and France’s top container shipping company.
Its 445 vessels call more than 400 ports in the world, on all 5 continents. In 2014, over 12.2 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) were carried.
CMA CGM has grown steadily and to offer its clients new and innovative sea, land and logistics solutions. Present in 150 countries, with a network of 655 agencies, the Group employs 20,000 people worldwide, including 2,400 in its headquarters in Marseilles.