Johnston represents the fourth generation of family leadership. Established by her great-grandfather Charles Edward Johnston and Capt. Sibrandt D. List, Jamaica Fruit and Shipping Company has adapted to meet current Caribbean logistic demands. “We are diversifying now,” she explains, noting how the company has expanded beyond its agricultural roots while maintaining its core family values. Today, both companies are chaired by Charles Henry Johnston, grandson of Charles Edward Johnston. In addition to his role as Chairman of these two companies Johnston also sits on the board of a number of other companies including that of German Ship Repair Jamaica Ltd (GSRJ), operators of Jamaica’s first Floating Dock. The arrival of the floating dock in August 2023 signaled the realization of a 20 year old dream of Charles Johnston. Since then, the GSRJ Shipyard has successfully worked on several commercial vessels, including container ships, tankers, ro-ro and offshore vessels. The transformation from banana exporter to shipping conglomerate began taking shape in 1976 when Jamaica Freight and Shipping emerged from a strategic merger between Jamaica Fruit & Shipping Co. Ltd and the shipping division of Sprostons (Jamaica) Ltd - Aluminum Company of Canada (Alcan). The growth of the company has been quite impressive over the years and it now enjoys international recognition as it continues to look outward to meet potential global demand. The company’s growth and diversification over the decades has also helped to solidify its leading role in the Caribbean. With international access, Jamaica Freight and Shipping, under its parent company, continues to expand and welcome new initiatives as we head towards the third quarter of 2025. FULL-SERVICE SHIPPING OPERATIONS Jamaica Freight and Shipping’s portfolio is extensive. “We represent large ocean carriers, such as COSCO Shipping, Orient Overseas Container Lines (OOCL), MOL Ace plus NVO’s like JP Logistics Solutions,”Anna Hamilton, CEO of Jamaica Freight and Shipping, states. “We are also vessel agents in Kingston for Seaboard Jamaica handling all husbandry matters for their vessel calls. The company’s strategic positioning extends beyond carrier representation.“We are exclusive port agents at Port Esquivel, which is the port of UC Rusal Alumina Jamaica Ltd. (Windalco),” Hamilton explains.“We are also exclusive agents at Bowden Wharf. They’re not very active right now, but that was a big port area for the export of bananas.” 17 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN VOLUME 12, ISSUE 06 JAMAICA FREIGHT & SHIPPING COMPANY LIMITED
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