MOBAY PORT TO BE MAJOR CARGO, FUEL CENTRE

THE MONTEGO Bay Port in St James is being envisioned as an excellent destination for not only cruise ships, but a major cargo and fuel centre for the north coast, says Dr Horace Chang, minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation.

“The entire north coast is being looked at for development,” he further revealed. “Ocho Rios is being transformed by the PAJ and we are looking at Port Antonio as well. The Kingston Freeport Terminal, while divested, is being developed as the primary transshipment port in the Caribbean. And we are not stopping there! We are also thinking of doing some cruise shipping from a different nature than you do here in Falmouth.”

Dr Chang added that each resort and cruise shipping town will “have its own character”, where history, cultural and entertainment offerings will be used as an enticement for visitors.

“We intend to make Falmouth one of, if not the finest destination in the Caribbean, with its own character,” he continued. “Ocho Rios will have its own features and could, in fact, end up with more ships going there because of its location. The character of Ocho Rios will certainly be different and we will no doubt capitalise on the fact that it was formerly a fishing village.”

“Our mandate is to upgrade and enhance our port facilities so they can be up to world-class standards,” he added.

He further pointed out that Montego Bay also has the potential to be the business hub of the Caribbean, a dream “that could soon become a reality”.