Jamaica Bauxite Mining aims to mitigate tariff impact through green port initiatives
Published:Friday | April 4, 2025 | 12:07 AMMickalia Kingston/Gleaner Writer
Amid the ripple effects of President Donald Trump’s new tariffs on imports to the United States, Jamaica Bauxite Mining (JBM) is focused on navigating the challenges these changes bring.
Speaking with The Gleaner on Thursday, JBM Managing Director Donna Marie Howe outlined the company’s sustainable approach to tackling the impact of the tariffs while driving long-term growth.
JBM, a key player in Jamaica’s economy, has been exporting bauxite, limestone, and sugar for five decades.
“Cargo is our major export activity,” said Howe, highlighting that JBM owns two ports, including one in Discovery Bay, St Ann. “We do the largest export of raw bauxite through our Discovery Bay port. A lot of our customers are in the US, so new tariffs, especially those on Chinese-manufactured shipping cargo, will affect us.”
On Wednesday, Trump announced a 10 per cent tariff on imports from all countries to the United States, with higher tariffs for products from 60 nations, including several in Asia and Africa, that run a high trade deficit with the US.
As global trade continues to evolve, Howe emphasised JBM’s forward-thinking response to these challenges.
“We are converting our ports into green ports to gain recognition and accreditation under the green initiatives and the blue economy. This will help us mitigate the impact of tariffs, and we are committed to lessening the burden on the end users who rely on our services,” she explained.
Green initiatives and the blue economy both focus on sustainable development, but the blue economy specifically addresses the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic, social, and environmental benefits while green initiatives encompass a broader range of environmental and sustainability efforts.
One of the company’s green initiatives that currently stands out is the installation of photovoltaic (PV) panels at the Discovery Bay port.
Howe explained: “We expect the PV panels to reduce our energy consumption by up to 84 per cent through renewable energy solutions. This is one way we can reduce exposure to tariffs not only by lowering operational costs but by making our ports more sustainable.”
In addition to renewable energy efforts, Howe says that JBM is strategically positioned to benefit from international sustainability initiatives. “Our partner in the US – Discovery Bauxite – is benefiting from the 45X sustainable incentives under the Biden bipartisan agreement. Bauxite is one of the critical minerals that qualifies for these incentives, so we are ensuring that our ports, from Discovery Bay to the refinery in Louisiana, directly benefit from this programme,” she said.
While bauxite remains JBM’s flagship export, Howe highlighted other key exports such as limestone and sugar.
“We also export sugar and limestone through our Reynold’s Pier in Ocho Rios. We are working to increase our limestone exports as there is strong demand for it in construction projects,” she added. “The US is our largest market for limestone, but we’re also looking into expanding our reach into Guyana, which has significant demand.”
Despite these growth opportunities, Howe acknowledged the broader impact of global tariff policies on the Caribbean. She expressed concern about the upcoming climate change-related tariffs, which she believes will heavily impact the region. Several industrialised countries have been advocating the adoption of carbon tariffs on products imported from developing countries, including China.
“We’re trying to prepare for the impact of these tariffs, especially as they will affect the Caribbean’s supply chain,” she explained. “That’s why we’re actively involved in policy discussions to ensure that our region can mitigate some of these costs.”
Howe remains optimistic about the company’s growth prospects and the role JBM plays in Jamaica’s economy.
“We have a direct impact on the gross domestic product of exports. The port and the marine world are the cornerstone of the distribution of goods, and we are focused on intensifying that contribution,” she told The Gleaner.