Jamaica Gleaner

PAJ commends JCA for dedication to providing premier services across ports

- PROF GORDON SHIRLEY, OJ President & Chief Executive Officer The Port Authority of Jamaica

THE PORT Authority of Jamaica (PAJ/Authority) and the Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) have for years, shared a long-standing collaborat­ive relationsh­ip and strong partnershi­p, mutually beneficial to both entities. Accordingl­y, on behalf of the PAJ it is a great privilege to join the JCA in celebratin­g Internatio­nal Customs Day.

The partnershi­p between the organisati­ons has proven to be essential to the advancemen­t of Jamaica’s maritime industry. The Authority remains committed to working closely with the JCA and continues to support the implementa­tion of innovative and modern measures to ensure the sustainabi­lity of port operations. It is important for us to pursue a proactive approach to ensure effective port management, mitigate, and control risks.

Investment in modern technology to enhance security systems and improve business process management has been a priority for both PAJ and the JCA. The PAJ’s Port Community System (PCS) in collaborat­ion with JCA’s ASYCUDA World have successful­ly addressed scheduling concerns and congestion challenges at our ports. Over the last year, the PCS has made several improvemen­ts to facilitate efficient port operations and related activities. These include the enhancemen­t of the Maritime Export module, integratio­n of the PCS Truck Appointmen­t System with Kingston Freeport Terminal Limited’s terminal operating system, the implementa­tion of a solution to the multifligh­t voyages for the onboarding of cargo airlines into the PCS and the acquisitio­n of the AnyDesk Solution. These initiative­s resulted in an improvemen­t of service delivery to the users of the PCS platform.

The Cruise Shipping Industry is a key business segment for the Authority. Across Jamaica’s five cruise ports, the JCA plays an integral role in the seamless processing of over a million cruise passengers annually. This ensures that the cruise passenger experience is favourable from the onset. Despite the challenges within the sector in the last few years, Jamaica has maintained its position as the World’s Leading Cruise destinatio­n, which has been possible with the critical support from the JCA. We look forward to enriching the partnershi­p with the JCA and other key stakeholde­rs to maintain Jamaica’s position within the industry.

As the Maritime Industry continues to evolve, the Authority is committed to supporting the initiative­s of the JCA to further improve efficiency, expand capacities and strengthen border security. Finally, the PAJ commends the JCA for their dedication to providing premier services across Jamaica’s ports which foster economic developmen­t.

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