OREANDA-NEWS. December 22, 2015. Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) approved its largest single non-sovereign guaranteed transaction in Jamaica with a senior secured loan of up to US\\$175 million for Kingston Freeport Terminal Limited, to finance the optimization and expansion of Kingston’s container terminal capacity in Jamaica.

The IDB loan will help finance the deepening of the navigation channel from 13.5 to 14.2 meters, reinforcing part of the existing quay and acquiring new equipment to expand the terminal capacity from 2.8 million to 3.2 million TEU per year. The upgrades will increase the Port’s competitiveness, enabling it to handle a growing volume from Asia, North America and Europe. 

“The Project will increase the Port’s capacity, and its modernization will enable it to handle larger container ships and move more cargo. The improvements will increase Kingston Terminal’s competitiveness and its ability to handle the expected growing volume of trade once the expansion of the Panama Canal is finalized,” said Jean-Marc Aboussouan, Chief of the Infrastructure Division in the IDB?s Structured and Corporate Finance Department. 

The investments will be implemented under a 30-year concession contract to a French consortium led by CMA CGM, the third largest container shipping company in the world, and CMA Terminals Holding, a large worldwide port operator worldwide. The contract provides for management of the improvements and operation and maintenance of the container terminal. 

About the IDB

The Inter-American Development Bank is devoted to improving lives. Established in 1959, the IDB is a leading source of long-term financing for economic, social and institutional development in Latin America and the Caribbean. The IDB also conducts cutting-edge research and provides policy advice, technical assistance and training to public and private sector clients throughout the region.