The Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) is a statutory corporation established by the Port Authority Act of 1972 and falls within the remit of the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation. It is the principal maritime agency responsible for the regulation and development of Jamaica’s port and shipping industry.
As a regulator, the PAJ is mandated to ensure that security systems, standards and procedures at Jamaica’s maritime and port facilities comply with the International Maritime Organization/International Ship and Port Facility Security (IMO/ISPS) Code. It is also accountable for the safety of all vessels navigating the ports and harbours and the regulation of tariffs charged on goods passing through the public wharves.
In its development role the PAJ develops port infrastructure required to support Jamaica’s International Trade, Tourism, Commerce and other Industries. As mandated by the Government in 2012, the PAJ has partnered with the Jamaica Customs Agency to implement a Port Community System (PCS) for the island of Jamaica.
In 2016, the PAJ established the PCS Operator unit, which is dedicated to the implementation, maintenance and management of the PCS platform. In addition, it provides training and support to the Jamaican Port Community.
The team is made of a diverse, multi-skilled set of team members that were drawn from various sectors including the local Shipping Industry.
