Bartlett Holds Cruise Investment Talks with DP World

Tourism Minister, Edmund Bartlett, recently ended a series of important cruise investment meetings with DP World, a major multinational logistics company based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). 

Minister Bartlett said he is happy to announce that the meetings regarding cruise investment with one of the world’s largest port and marine logistics companies was successful. Noting that the three consecutive days of meetings saw serious discussions about investments in the Port Royal Cruise Port and the possibility of homeporting. Discussion about the development of a logistics hub, a Vernamfield multi-modal transport, and aerotropolis, as well as other infrastructural investments. 

DP World Chairman, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, through his ambassador, Executive Vice President of DP World, Mohammed Al Maullem, declared interest in Jamaica and sent greetings to Prime Minister Andrew Holness. Discussions between the Tourism Minister and DP World should continue soon with the Port Authority of Jamaica and the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation.

DP World which was formed in 2005 following the merger of Dubai Ports Authority and Dubai Ports International; specialises in cargo logistics, maritime services, port terminal operations, and free trade zones. The organization handles some 70 million containers that are brought in by around 70,000 vessels annually, which equates to roughly 10% of global container traffic accounted for by their 82 marine and inland terminals present in over 40 countries.

During the visit to the UAE, Minister Bartlett and his team will also meet with representatives of the country’s Tourism Authority to discuss collaboration on tourism investment from the region; Middle East tourism initiatives; and gateway access for North Africa and Asia, and facilitation of airlift. There will also be meetings with executives of DNATA Tours, the single largest tour operator in the UAE; members of the Jamaican Diaspora in the UAE; and three major Airlines in the Middle East – Emirates, Ethiad, and Qatar.