Port Overview

Historically, Falmouth has been a unique cruise destination, located on the north coast of Jamaica, 22 miles east of the world-famous resort city of Montego Bay. The cruise terminal comprises approximately 28 acres of reclaimed lands and previously existing shoreline, and commenced operations in March 2011. Since 2014 the port has averaged over 700,000 annual cruise passenger arrivals from around 179 cruise calls. This facility is solely dedicated to cruise vacationers and facilitates the undertaking of shore-side excursions for cruise guests.

This state-of-the-art cruise terminal is a joint venture development between the Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. It includes a two-berth pier and can accommodate the largest cruise ships in the world. The terminal was developed as the first thematic cruise terminal in the Caribbean, and consists of wide and varied retail offerings and entertainment. The Port Authority of Jamaica holds management responsibility for port operations, and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines manages the retail space.

The border control and law enforcement agencies of the Government of Jamaica maintain a presence during cruise operations. They include: (1) The Jamaica Customs Agency, (2) The Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA), (3) The Jamaica Constabulary Force (marine police and regular law enforcement), (4) The Department of Health, and (5) Quarantine Unit.

Port website: http://www.cruisejamaica.com

Port Picture

Areas identified in port picture:

• Town of Falmouth
• Terminal Building – managed and occupied by PAJ.  It also has offices for Customs, the Ministry of Health, Immigration, and Quarantine.
• North Berth/South Berth at FCST.
• Commercial area on the port managed by FJLCL, a subsidiary of RCCL.

Contacts of Key Companies

The Port Authority of Jamaica engages the following contractors to provide services for the operations of the cruise terminal, in furtherance of its business;

1. The Port Security Corps (PSC): this governmental security organisation offers security services at Free Zone, airports and shipping terminals. The PSC is responsible for access control, CCTV monitoring, berth patrol, X-Ray machine operations and passenger / crew screening at the Falmouth Cruise Ship Terminal.
   Tel: (876) 967-5366 – 9 Email: mdpsc@cwjamaica.com
2. B. International offers fork lifting and linesmen services for the Falmouth Cruise Ship Terminal. Tel: (876) 758-3636 or 7852 Email:Keisha.samuels@bintageltd.com
3. Marksman Limited is a registered private security company, a member of the Guardsman Group. Marksman is contracted by the Port Authority of Jamaica to provide dispatching services for cruise guests and vehicles embarking on sightseeing and excursion activities.
   Tel: (876) 926-3600 Email: repsteine@guardsmangroup.com

Port Performance

Falmouth is located at 18° 30’N, 77° 38.5’W. The port is situated in a resort and tourist centre, and is the chief town of the parish of Trelawny, County Cornwall.

Limiting Conditions

Controlling depth: The entrance channel was dredged in 2009 to a depth of 12.6 m with a width of 200 m at its narrowest point, which is marked by beacons.

Navigable width: The dredged entrance has a navigable width of 300 m.

Berths: Depth alongside: 11.3 m.  Maximum ship’s draught: 10.1 m

Tenders: Tender service is not available.

Maximum size of vessels handled: 360 m in length, with a draft of 10.6 m.

Local weather: NE winds prevail by day, SE by night. NE winds are strongest between May and October.

Arrival Information

Port Radio: Port Radio is connected through the pilots. Pilots communicate on local VHF radio channel 16 and 11.

ETA: Notice of ETA should be sent 96, 48 and 24 hours in advance. Pilot requires 24 hours’ notice.

Pilotage: Pilotage is compulsory and available day and night. Arrangements can be made through the Pilotage Department in Kingston. Pilot boards one mile NE of harbour entrance or Lat. 18° 30.6’N Long. 77° 38’W. Pilotage charges are calculated according to GRT.

Tugs: Tugs may be available from Montego Bay. 10 hours lead time is required and it will take three hours from Montego Bay.

Harbour

Falmouth Harbour is a small, deep basin within a break in the reef, in the vicinity of North Rock (approximately one cable north of the Cruise Ship Berth).

The ship channel is oriented in a NE-SW direction and is well marked by 11 navigational marks (three red starboard hand buoys, two beacons, five green port hand buoys and one beacon), together with two range lights.

A triangular shaped pier consisting of a north and south berth is located at the south-western end of the channel. At the extreme northern end of the berth there are two mooring dolphins.

The small craft jetty is located to the north-west of the cruise ship pier.

Natural conditions

Current: A westerly set, up to three knots may be experienced at the entrance. However, occasionally an easterly current may be observed. Inside the basin when the sea breezes blow continuously for some days, a current sometimes sets windward at a rate varying with the force of the wind. The strength of this current sometimes overcomes that of the winds, such that small vessels at anchor often ride with their stern to the wind.

Prevailing wind is NE. However, N to NW winds may be experienced during the winter months which send a heavy sea into the bay.

This port is a dedicated cruise operation and as a result, humanitarian operations will require special arrangement for cargo handling and storage. Most of these services are available in the port of Montego Bay.

Discharge Rates and Terminal Handling Charges

As previously stated, the port of Falmouth is a dedicated cruise operation. Therefore, there is no information available in respect to discharge rates, break bulk or terminal handling charges. These charges are available at the Port of Montego Bay, which is a cargo, as well as a cruise port.

Berthing Specifications

Further berthing information provided under “Port Performance”.

Port Handling Equipment

The forklifts located on the port are owned and managed by a private company.

Container Facilities

This port is solely operated as a port of call for cruise vessels and does not offer facilities for containerized operations.

Customs Guidance

The Jamaica Customs Agency maintains a presence at the port facility during the entire duration of the berthing of a vessel at this port.

For more information on customs in Jamaica, please see the following link: 1.3 Jamaica Customs Information

Terminal Information

MULTIPURPOSE TERMINAL

This terminal facility is a dedicated cruise facility with two berths: North – 11.6 m in depth, and South – 10.6 m.

MAIN STORAGE TERMINAL

N/A

Stevedoring

Stevedoring service is not available at this port but may be secured in Montego Bay. Port Handlers Limited, the management company for the Montego Bay Port offers this service.
Contact: Anthony Bowen Tel: (876) 979-8101. Email: anthonybowen123@gmail.com

Hinterland Information

The Port of Falmouth’s hinterland encompasses the parishes of Trelawny, St. James and St. Ann.  As this is a dedicated cruise port, items are generally not moved from the port. Notwithstanding, any item that is removed from the port is transported in motor vehicles (cars or buses).

Port Security

The Port Authority of Jamaica is a signatory to the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS) and leads the port’s security arrangements through a Port Facility Security Officer, who reports to the Vice President for Security and Safety.