Jamaica, a global logistics hub

Dalton Clare, Contributor

I have worked many years in port facilities including Jamaica's trans-shipment port, and I have always appreciated the need for the preservation of our natural environment. I strongly support the work of organisations working to make sure that our natural resources are not squandered. But as the saying goes, we cannot make an omelette without breaking an egg. Development, by its nature, requires the physical transformation of our natural environment and we do so to the detriment of the normal ecosystems of an area. But, this is not so different from severe natural disasters such as what happened on the New York/New Jersey coastline with that hurricane recently, or the effects of the tsunami on many Pacific islands and coastlines a few years ago, and the earthquake in Haiti more recently. Something new will form in its place. In fact, we have the opportunity to control the extent of the dislocation that can be caused, in this case to the marine life in and around the Goat Islands if plans for the logistics hub go forward.

The economic trade-off between development and natural preservation for this project would be a plus for the whole of Jamaica. Many countries offer economic advantages that serve to attract international interests to their shores to do business; resources such as cheap sources of fuel, low labour costs and effective banking and financial systems. We have one unique asset. We owe it to ourselves to make this one asset work for us. What is the asset? Our location. Jamaica, by sheer providence, sits right in the middle of one of the largest established shipping routes in the world. The largest east-west shipping route, right in the middle between North and South America and directly on the shipping route through the important Panama Canal.

unprecedented opportunity

I say, let Jamaica be one of the cornerstones on which sits the world's largest economic powerhouse - shipping. Jamaica must grab this almost unprecedented opportunity to be one of the logistics hubs of the world - a global logistics hub.

This potential is so great it would be the greatest missed opportunity for any country in the recent history of modern international trade if we don't push on with plans. But what is this global logistics hub, you might ask. Well, this is like the international 'airport for containers' catching a connecting flight to or from anywhere around the world, much like the JFKs and Heathrows of the world.

This location would no longer be just one of the many trans-shipment locations around the world, but a permanent location to which ships are destined. Shipping lines would no longer come here based on some enticement from the port. It would now be a normal port of call. In fact, it would be the normal port of call for the largest container-carrying vessels in the world. Attendant to this also would be an increase in the numbers of midsize and smaller (feeder) ships that would now need to call on this location.

World brand

Jamaica is a world brand. The location of a world-class facility such as this on the island would be an immense boost to our ability to attract business here. It could provide that financial impetus and business confidence to investors for considering setting up business here once again. Jamaica, in spite of all the negatives surrounding it, still sells.

We need to find that high ground to harshly deal with criminality. This would be one more cog in the wheel to push back against criminal elements and dispel the 'inspiration' to be involved in criminal activities. This would help to further dispel the 'moral argument' for crime as being the result of a lack of economic prospects, and further open that door that prevents the exploration of especially our indigenous economic potential.

It would be the confidence booster needed by the average man on the street that 'tings ah gwaan' and that 'tings can gwaan' if we are just willing to work hard. It would show that there is hope for tomorrow and that all we need to do is release our own creative potential. The world is on our doorsteps, let it in.

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