Letter of the Day | It’s time to rethink the logistics hub

THE EDITOR, Madam:

For over a decade, Jamaica has envisioned itself as a global logistics hub – but that vision has yet to take shape. As global supply chains shift and regional competitors move aggressively, Jamaica risks missing its moment. The time has come for bold, practical thinking. What if we could revive the Global Logistics Hub Initiative (GLHI) without spending a single dollar of taxpayer money?

We have the location, maritime access, and workforce. What we lack is a strategy to unlock those assets. A reimagined approach – driven by private investment and structured around Special Economic Port Zones (SEPZs) – could transform our logistics sector and national economy.

Picture this: a series of “plug-and-play” ports along Jamaica’s coast, each privately financed and tailored to a high-growth sector – e-commerce, renewable energy, automotive parts, or bulk cargo. These zones would be managed by international logistics leaders like Amazon, COSCO, or DP World, operating under Government of Jamaica oversight. No public debt. Just jobs, infrastructure, and reliable revenue.

This isn’t theory – it’s proven. In Singapore, Jurong Port fuels seven per cent of GDP through specialised terminals. Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone hosts 8,000 multinational companies and underpins 20 per cent of its economy. Their formula? Let private operators build and manage, while the state governs and benefits.

Jamaica can do the same – and potentially better. By licensing global firms to develop SEPZs, we could:

Generate 50,000 + skilled jobs.

Earn over US$500 million annually in operating fees.

Spark a wave of private sector-led upgrades in infrastructure – road, rail, digital.

To coordinate this, we need a Project Management Office (PMO) comprising global experts and local stakeholders. This team would oversee integration, ensure transparency, and safeguard environmental standards. The government’s role? Set the rules. Monitor compliance. Collect fees.

Yes, we’ve heard promises before. But this model shifts the equation: the capital and innovation come from private firms; the oversight and earnings remain Jamaican. No burden on taxpayers. No delay waiting for Government financing. Just forward momentum.

Communities like Montego Bay, Alligator Pond, and Portland could emerge as logistics hotspots. Our diaspora could invest. Our young people could find long-term careers beyond tourism. This is not just a logistics proposal – it’s a national growth strategy.

The longer we wait, the more we fall behind rising regional players. This is Jamaica’s chance to build a logistics revolution – one that respects our environment, expands our economy, and doesn’t strain our budget.

The idea is here. The opportunity is real. Let’s not let another decade pass without action.

CARLTON FEARON

Brumalia, Mandeville