The CMA CGM Group has announced the signing of an agreement with the Port Authority of Jamaica, on April 7 in Kingston, Jamaica, granting it the concession of the Kingston Container Terminal for 30 years. With CMA CGM coming in, Kingston would become one of the major transhipment hubs in the Caribbean, stressed a release.

With a total 2,400 metres (m) of wharf, 80 ha surface area and 15.5 m draught, Kingston Container Terminal will increase its annual capacity to 3.6 million TEUs. It will be equipped with 14 gantry cranes and 60 port riders. The terminal extension will turn Kingston into one of the Caribbean's top five ports, the release highlighted.

The Panama Canal, expected to be completed in 2016, will allow the deployment of larger vessels, of 12,600 TEUs, in the area, the release pointed out. The terminal is located at the entrance of the Canal. The terminal, where CMA CGM has about 35 to 40 per cent market share, will be open to all shipping lines, benefiting from the same quality of services and treatment without discrimination, the release emphasised.