Air, sea ports undergo upgrades for Christmas
Some $130 million will be spend at air and sea ports to upgrade transport services by Christmas.
The Kingston Container Terminal (KCT) will purchase two container-lifters or reach stackers valued at US$1.2 million ($113 million). Whilst the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) in Kingston will spend US$320,000 ($27 million) to install canopies to connect the arrivals and departure area. The NMIA development will be noticeable to travellers as it replaces an old airport structure and will showcase three distinct designs to compliment the architecture of the modern terminal building stated the Airports Authority of Jamaica (AAJ) in response to Observer queries.
“The project to which you refer comprises canopies/covered walkways and other works that will replace existing dilapidated structures,” the AAJ stated in response issued by Grace Morrison. “A part of this offering is the provision of adequate protection from the elements as our users move with ease from the departure concourse in the east to the arrivals concourse.”
AAJ said about the project which forms part of the Phase 1A development at the NMIA costing US$120 million commenced in 2004 and slated to end in March 2011, whilst Phase 1B will extend through 2015 costing some US$30 million. The AAJ added: “The projected cost of this project compares favourably with other acceptable alternatives”.
The development at the KCT will involve the retiring of older vehicles for newer ones stated Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) vice president of public relations Pat Belinfanti who added that the purchases would complement the existing 14 stackers.
“These newer stackers can stack boxes higher than previous machines,” he said.
Additionally, there are some 73 container-movers or straddle carriers at the KCT.