MINISTER PICKERSGILL SIGNS THREE PAJ CONTRACTS

Three contracts pertaining to civil works at the Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) were signed by Minister Robert Pickersgill on Thursday, February 12, 2004 at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel.

The contracts which were which were endorsed by the Government Contracts Commission are already underway at the Ken Wright Cruise Pier in Port Antonio, Portland and the Kingston Transshipment Terminal. The contracts are as follows:

· The Kingston Container Terminal Fourth Phase - Reconstruction and expansion berths; Contractor - E. Pihl & Sons Ltd.
· The construction of a Security Boundary Wall at the Old Zinc Factory adjacent to the Terminal. Contractor - Matrix Engineering Works Ltd.
· The Ken Wright Cruise Pier Rehabilitation Programme in Port Antonio for which the contractor is Tankweld Construction Ltd.

The work on the North Terminal is particularly significant in that it was the North Terminal that was seen as the cradle of the Kingston Container Terminal having constructed initially in the early 1970's. Until the mid 1990's the North Terminal was the centre of all operations. However with the development of the South Terminal beginning in 1994 with modern infrastructure, state of the art equipment and advanced technology, the north terminal lost its prominence and was confined mainly to feeder traffic operations.

The scope of this contract includes:

· NORTH TERMINAL - demolition and re-construction of North Terminal Berths numbers 10, 11 and 11a involving:

1. demolition of 447 metres of existing berth and construction of 502 metres of new berths
2. construction of 5.2 hectares of container storage yard
3. putting in place the support underground services - water supply to berth side and hydrants - surface water drainage - electrical cables and ducts
4. The contract also calls for 630 metres of pavement to be constructed
5. installation of a high mast for the container yard extension

· construction of a 3-storey berth side building for marine operations

In relation to the South Terminal the contract provides for:

1. The construction of 91 metres of berth extension, plus 75 metres of return
2. construction of 7.7 hectares of additional container storage yard
3. underground services - water supply to berth side and hydrants - surface water drainage - electrical ducts and cables
4. 620 square metres pavement construction with concrete paved block surfacing.

The cost of the contract is US$46M.

The implementation of the contract has been scheduled for 21 months in two phases as follows:

• Phase 1 - fifteen months
• Phase 2 - six months.

To be completed about July, 2006

Overall, this contract will serve to expand capacity, enhance operational efficiency and berthing convenience at the Terminal both of which are important to meet the challenges of fierce competition in both the regional and international market.

Construction of Security Boundary Wall - Old Zinc Factory

Another contract related to the Kingston Container Terminal is for the construction of a boundary wall at the old Zinc Factory building which is adjacent to the north Western boundary of the Terminal.

This property is being refurbished and prepared to facilitate relocation of a company currently located in the Kingston Free Zone. The Fourth Phase expansion of the Terminal involves encroachment on a on a portion of the Kingston Free Zone property on the east, adjacent to the North Terminal. Under this contract, a security boundary wall of 264 metres and 3.15 metres high will be constructed. The wall is to be fortified with installation atop galvanized razor wires supported by steel fabricated gates. The contract is in the amount of J$13,993,748.00 and is scheduled to be completed in seventeen weeks.

Rehabilitation of Ken Wright Cruise Ship Pier, Port Antonio

For the Ken Wright Cruise Pier, the contract sum will be J$6, 315,660.00 and will be focused on the pier involving the replacement of twelve H-Piles which support the East Dolphin pier.

Since the transfer of total cruise shipping operations to the Port Authority, initiatives have been underway to expand and upgrade all cruise shipping facilities. Dredging programmes designed to enhance the depth and width of sea-lanes have been undertaken at the ports of Montego Bay and Port Antonio to accommodate the new generation of large ships. Since the current cruise ship season, several ship calls have been made to Port Antonio.

Under the Ministry's capital programmes, recognition has been given to the recent trend of port development, which directly links infrastructure to security. Thus while expansion is going on diligence has been employed in putting in place the equipment, systems and procedures required to meet the security standards specified under the I.M.O.I.S.P.S Codes. This is necessary for the certification of ports in order to ensure Jamaica's continued participation in world trade as well as for protecting the industry.