KWL exec shares plans for auto logistics expansion during welcome of Höegh Pacific

Kingston Wharves Limited (KWL) recently welcomed the Höegh Pacific on its maiden voyage and maiden call to the KWL terminal on the Port of Kingston on Monday, May 18.

The hosting of the vessel reinforces KWL’s push to position Jamaica and, in particular, the Port of Kingston as the leading regional auto logistics hub and trans-shipment gateway in the English-speaking Caribbean.

Simone Murdock, corporate services and client experience manager at Kingston Wharves, hailed the occasion “a great honour and privilege for Kingston Wharves, the Port of Kingston, Jamaica and the Caribbean and Central America region”.

The newly purpose-built 2,450 CEU Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC) will carry out dedicated short sea service within the Caribbean and Central America. Its berth on Monday follows that of the world’s largest eco-friendly vessel, Höegh Aurora, last year.

“Consider the fact that Höegh is one of the world’s leading autoliners, with over 3,000 calls to global ports annually. Yet they chose the Caribbean, Jamaica and Kingston Wharves for the maiden voyage, maiden call and hub port for this new vessel,” Murdock stated.

 She further outlined that KWL continues to make significant investments in auto logistics and transhipment capacity in line with the critical importance of the auto transhipment business segment to the company. This includes expanding both its on-dock and off-dock footprint, covering purpose-built facilities, value-added services, infrastructure and customer-focused maritime solutions.

While noting that the company was currently in talks with the Government of Jamaica to expand its motor vehicle operations at Tinson Pen,  the KWL manager stated, “This business segment (with the planned Tinson Pen expansion) can grow to over 500,000 motor moves and facilitate additional employment of some 200 persons within the next two years.    

“We are confident that the Government shares our views that our motor vehicle operations advance the national goals to establish Jamaica as a premier logistics hub for diversified cargo types,” Murdock said.

Jose Tello, trade planner – Short Sea Americas for Höegh Autoliners, celebrated that the deployment of the Höegh Pacific was an exciting milestone for the company.

“The Höegh Pacific is a symbol of what moved the company forward—accuracy in every detail, reliability when it matters most, and the drive to consistently raise the bar.”

Tello underscored that Höegh’s investment in a dedicated regional vessel reflected the company’s long-term commitment to the region, helping to build a more resilient, competitive and collaborative carrier. 

“We are extremely proud to strengthen our commitment to the region that remains a vital lifeline to its communities. We firmly believe in the Caribbean’s potential for growth, innovation and enhanced connectivity,” he shared.

 Thanking his customers and partners, Tello declared, “We are here for the long-term; we are steadfast in our commitment to further elevate our service, operational excellence and value.”

Chief Operating Officer of International Shipping Shara-Kay Kinlocke, in her remarks, expressed her company’s pride to represent Höegh Autoliners in Kingston, recalling when the Port of Kingston welcomed the first Höegh over 16 years ago.

“It is truly remarkable to see how much the trans-shipment market has grown since then. So much that it has necessitated the [deployment of the] Höegh Pacific, this vessel that is dedicated to this region with improved features and capacity,” she observed.

 Kinlocke also expressed confidence that the new addition to the Höegh fleet would improve service delivery throughout the region. 

As part of the welcome event, a team from Kingston Wharves, the Höegh, International Shipping, and media representatives toured the Höegh Pacific, where Simone Murdock and Shara-kay Kinlocke each presented commemorative plaques to Captain Wu Yi Min.