Jamaica One Step Closer to LNG Bunkering as $2.5 Billion Port Plan Resumes Course

Jamaica has announced that a $2.5 billion port plan has resumed its course.

In a development that indicates that Jamaica's Port of Montego Bay is one step closer to offering liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering, the Government of Jamaica has announced that a $2.5 billion port plan has resumed its course.

The Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) is said to have put the port development plan on hold in order to enable New Fortress Energy to construct a LNG terminal at the Montego Bay.

The port plan will see the development of new cruise terminal buildings, ground transportation staging areas, modification of the port's container freight station, expanded cargo-storage areas, construction of new reefer-storage facilities, and increased berthing capacity through two new dedicated cruise berths and a containerised and bulk cargo berth, as well as a separate for fuel handling.

"These developments – the LNG project as well as our master plan for the city – are being undertaken in a manner which will create a new maritime ecosystem in Montego Bay featuring an array of services to better serve the needs of vessels entering the port, including bunkering and ship supply services, warehousing, chanelling and wet repairs," said Professor Gordon Shirley, Chairman of PAJ to local media.

PAJ along with New Fortress, are said to be in discussions with cruise vessel operators in order to assess future service needs, including bunkering.

"A number of the cruise vessels have signalled that they are in the process of converting to LNG as their fuel source and some of them actually come to Montego Bay," Edmond Marsh, PAJ Vice-President for Business Development, was quoted as saying.

"So we have been in discussions - not just we - New Fortress has discussed with those cruise liners the ability to get bunkering, get fuel, in Montego Bay when that becomes readily available."

In October, the International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) noted the Caribbean as an emerging as a key bunkering hub, delivering marine services to an increasing traffic flow, brought about by the "New Panama Canal."