Port Lafito, A Historic First

Haiti - Economy : Port Lafito, a historic first
(Haiti Libre) - 23/02/2015 11:45:46

The construction of the Port Lafito and of a free zone, located 25 minutes from Port-au-Prince, at a cost of US $150 million, is part of the "Lafito Global" project initiated by GB Group, in partnership with the Haitian government and several other Haitian private sector entrepreneurs, is making great strides.

16 months after the start of work, the Port Lafito (US $ 65 million) should be operational in March. This historical first in the Haitian Port and Maritime sector cements the vision set out years ago by GB Group to build a modern container Port. The size and nature of the infrastructure and superstructure investments being made coupled with SSA’s world class operating standards (port manager) and global marketing network represent a major paradigm shift for the future of the industry in Haiti. Note that the company Port Lafito S.A. has already signed a strategic partnership agreement with SSA Marine to manage its Port and Terminal Operations in Haiti http://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-11066-haiti-economy-port-lafito-sa-announces-strategic-alliance-with-ssa-marine.html

Port Facilities :
Operations managed by SSA Marine

• Software Operations with Tideworks Terminal Management Solutions
  
• Quay side Terminal of 130,000 m2 (13 hectares) to be 260,000 m2 at the completion of phase 2
  
• 450 meters of berth for offloading & loading operations to be 900 meters at the completion of phase 2
  
• At 12.5 meters of safe draft, it is the deepest port in Haiti
  
• Administration Building – for personnel, customs, port authority, security etc.
  
• State of the art cranes
  
• New terminal container handlers
  
• Vessel mooring/unmooring services
  
• Container terminal includes reefer services
  
• 24 Hour security
  
• ISPS and C-TPAT certified
  
• Phase 1 completion by Q1 2015

According to Pierre Liautaud, General Manager of the project "We will create more than 20,000 jobs over the next four years."



Regarding the free zone, 40% of the land of the free zone (100,000 m2) are already leased to foreign investors who will establish textile factories. "In total, we will build 20 buildings [...] We have already prepared 20,000 m2 of land, who will receive the new construction", other investors are willing to sign for the other land of the free zone, according to the leaders of GB Group.

In the future, this 360-acre site will also include: an industrial park, residential homes, children's play parks, commercial space, a medical clinic, a recreation center, movie theater, shopping center among others.

Learn more about GB Group :
Based in Haiti since 1896, the GB Group is one of the leading private industrial groups in the Caribbean, with operations concentrated in Haiti and offices in Miami, Santo Domingo, and Port au Prince. GB Group collaborates with over 2,000 employees. It is comprised of numerous companies [Aciérie d'Haïti (ADH), les Huileries Haïtiennes (HUHSA), Sodigaz, Gentel, Metalec Prometal etc...], branches, affiliates, and joint ventures, operating in the following 9 industries : Agriculture (coming soon), Building Materials, Consumer Goods, Energy/Fuel Distribution, Environmental Services, Environmental Services, Telecommunications, Trading, Transportation.

Learn more about SSA Marine :
SSA Marine, the world’s largest independent, privately-held marine terminal operator, with activities at more than 210 terminal facilities and intermodal rail operations throughout geographies in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Central America, South America, Asia, New Zealand and South Africa. Since its foundation in 1949, SSA Marine has continued to grow, always focusing on its customers’ interests. SSA Marine is a subsidiary of holding company Carrix.