Port Operations & Management
History
The Reynolds Pier was constructed over 70 years ago originally for the export of Bauxite by Reynolds Jamaica Mines Ltd. Subsequently, the company ceased operation in Jamaica and the government through the JBM took control of their assets, including the Port facility. The port was later the sole exporter of sugar on the island for approx. 30 years. At its peak, sugar export volumes averaged 100,000 metric tonnes annually. However, the sugar industry declined in Jamaica resulting in a mere 4,500 metric tonnes to date.
Currently, the port’s core business is the facilitating of bulk export of limestone and the docking of cruise vessels among other uses. JBM has periodically adapted to respond to demand and has customised the port over the years to achieve optimal operational efficiency.
About the Port
Located at 18oN, 77oW and 115 nautical miles from Kingston, Reynolds Pier is one of Jamaica’s many naturally occurring deep water piers with a draft of 12.5 metres. The pier is 215 metres long with the capacity to berth vessels beyond these specs due to the six (6) mooring dolphins and six (6) breasting dolphins strategically situated to accommodate ship averaging 350 metres in length. The port has a maximum loading rate of 1200 metric tonnes with an average of 750 metric tonnes achieved with its bulk material traveling conveyor gantry and linear loader system on rails. This infrastructure is used to load an average 40,000 metric tonnes of limestone per vessel.
Additionally the port boasts the following assets:
- A newly renovated dry dock mechanism with a certified 30 tons capacity;
- A storage silo with a 19,000 metric tonnes capacity;
- A warehouse building with a 70,000 metric tonnes capacity;
- Two (2) oil tanks of 2.5 million gallons; and
- Fresh water spring (across from the port) with an abstraction rate of 413.3 cubic metres per day.
Currently, Reynolds Pier functions as a multi-purpose port catering to various stakeholders. The Port Services offered are:
- Berthing of cargo, cruise, navy and oil vessels;
- Dry Docking for small pleasure and fishing boats;
- Leasing of fuel tanks to facilitate bunkering;
- Short term renting of heavy-duty equipment;
- Storage of bulk sugar in a customized silo;
- Facilitating the export of bulk sugar, high
purity limestone and aggregates through the use of conveyor system; and - Selling of potable water to industrial and passenger vessels.
