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Welcome to the Kingston Freeport Terminal Ltd.

Kingston Freeport Terminal Limited (KFTL) was established in 2015 in Kingston, Jamaica as the vehicle to be used in the execution of the terms of the 30-year Concession Agreement between the Government of Jamaica and CMA CGM. KFTL is responsible for the management and development of the Kingston Container Terminal. This involves the dredging of the access channel, turning and shipping basin, the expansion and improvement of the infrastructure, the upgrading of the ICT facilities and the acquisition and upgrading of the operating equipment.

KFTL was established in response to the demand by international shipping lines for a modern and competitive transshipment hub in the Central American and Caribbean region, which would allow them to service the important markets of the North and South American east coasts and facilitate the post-Panamax vessels that would be transiting the expanded Panama Canal.

KFTL assumed control of the facility on July 1, 2016, equipped with a cadre of management and staff with extensive local and international experience in the management and development of container terminals.

The proximity of Kingston to the markets of the Americas and its proximity to the Panama Canal made it a preferred location for KFTL. This was further enhanced by the high level of experience, training and motivation of the workforce on the terminal.

With the most strategic location for vessels exiting the Panama Canal, our proximity to the North American market and our partnership with all the major shipping lines, KFTL views the future with enthusiasm and a positive outlook.

HISTORY OF
THE TERMINAL

Located 32 nautical miles off the major shipping lanes of the Northern Caribbean and with Kingston Harbour being the 7th widest and deepest natural harbour, Jamaica has, for centuries been at the hub of Maritime activities in the Caribbean and Central American region.

 In response to the growth in the use of containers as a means of transporting cargo and in the demand for container terminals, the Government of Jamaica, through the Port Authority, established the Kingston Container Terminal in 1975.

 The terminal was developed to be used primarily as a transshipment hub, based on the mother and feeder vessel concept, and has been managed at various times by local as well as international terminal operators.

 From 1995 to 1997 the rated throughput capacity was increased to 1.2 million TEUS, due to the expansion in berth and yard capacity at Gordon Cay.

 2001 to 2009 saw a further expansion of the terminal, with the opening of the West Berth, bringing the capacity to 2.8 million TEU.

 Over the years the Kingston Container Terminal grew to become one of the leading container terminals in the region, boasting consistently high performances in yard and berth productivity.

 In April 2015 the Government of Jamaica, through the Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) and CMA CGM, concluded a 30 year Concession Agreement in which CMA CGM, through its subsidiary Kingston Freeport Terminal Limited (KFTL), will develop, maintain and operate the terminal. On July 1, 2016 KFTL assumed control of the terminal.

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