TRINIDAD - Concerns over La Brea port development

There are concerns over plans to build a US$500 million transshipment port at La Brea in south-west Trinidad.

A group of national stakeholders, including the Shipping Association (SATT), the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (TTCIC) and the Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA), are concerned that a third transshipment port could impact on Port of Spain and Point Lisas by causing overcapacity. La Brea is intended to focus on transshipment and shiprepair and will be a public-private initiative.

The stakeholder group said this development could affect the growth and potential of the nation’s existing ports, seen in the light of a regional program of expansion across the Caribbean in an already competitive market. The group said investment should be directed towards expanding existing infrastructure and facilities to exploit economies of scale; and it urged a facility study by the government before starting any construction.

The government has already contracted the giant China Harbor 
Engineering Company, a subsidiary of China Communications Construction Company, to carry out a feasibility study at La Brea.