Fri | Jan 9, 2026

Jamaica Freight & Shipping supports visit of Chinese naval hospital ship

Ark Silk Road to provide medical aid across Jamaica

Published:Tuesday | December 16, 2025 | 12:07 AM
Pause
JFS Chief Executive Officer Anna Hamilton is joined on the Montego Bay Cruise Ship Pier by Chris Magnus, COSCO Shipping Line Manager (left), Mayor of Montego Bay Richard Vernon (second left), and Garth Letts, Operations Manager at JFS (right), during the a
Contributed
JFS Chief Executive Officer Anna Hamilton is joined on the Montego Bay Cruise Ship Pier by Chris Magnus, COSCO Shipping Line Manager (left), Mayor of Montego Bay Richard Vernon (second left), and Garth Letts, Operations Manager at JFS (right), during the arrival of the Chinese Naval Hospital Ship, Ark Silk Road.
Wang Youli, Counsellor at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Jamaica (second right), is pictured with Junior Gager, Mayor of Falmouth (left); Michael Belnavis, Mayor of St. Ann’s Bay (second left); and Garth Letts, Operations Manager at J
Contributed
Wang Youli, Counsellor at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Jamaica (second right), is pictured with Junior Gager, Mayor of Falmouth (left); Michael Belnavis, Mayor of St. Ann’s Bay (second left); and Garth Letts, Operations Manager at Jamaica Freight & Shipping (right), during the final call of the Chinese Naval Hospital Ship Ark Silk Road in Falmouth.
Team members from Pier 17 Group Dominicana are pictured with a humanitarian shipment prepared for Jamaica in support of national recovery efforts following Hurricane Melissa. The consignment, estimated to arrive in Kingston on December 19, includes potable
Contributed
Team members from Pier 17 Group Dominicana are pictured with a humanitarian shipment prepared for Jamaica in support of national recovery efforts following Hurricane Melissa. The consignment, estimated to arrive in Kingston on December 19, includes potable water, canned foods, cereals, hygiene supplies, personal protective items, and clothing for women, men and children. Pier 17 Jamaica will oversee local facilitation and handover of the relief cargo to the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management for distribution to the communities most severely affected. Contributed
1
2
3

In support of Jamaica’s national recovery efforts following the passage of Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica Freight and Shipping (JFS) has been donating all agency services for the duration of the humanitarian visit of the Chinese Naval Hospital Ship, Ark Silk Road.

Appointed as the vessel’s local agents through their principal, COSCO Shipping, which JFS has represented since 2016, the company views its contribution as part of its longstanding commitment to national resilience and community support.

“At a time when so many Jamaicans are rebuilding and recovering, it is important for us to play our part,” said Anna Hamilton, CEO of JFS. “Providing agency services to the Ark Silk Road is one way we can support both the relief effort and the continued wellbeing of our communities.”

The Ark Silk Road has been providing free medical services to communities across the island. The vessel first called at the Montego Bay Cruise Ship Pier on December 4, then proceeded to the Port Royal Cruise Ship Pier on December 8, and will complete its humanitarian medical deployment in Falmouth, departing on December 16.

The visiting naval hospital ship has offered a wide range of medical services to Jamaicans, including general consultations, diagnostic support, and other clinical assistance, reinforcing bilateral cooperation and humanitarian collaboration between Jamaica and China.

As part of the wider corporate support extended to the medical team aboard the Ark Silk Road, JFS acknowledged the contribution of telecommunications provider Digicel to the wellbeing of the ship’s crew during their stay in Jamaica.

“We extend our sincere appreciation to Stephen Murad, CEO of Digicel, and the entire Digicel team for their generous donation of 100 SIM cards, each with 40GB of data, to the crew. This thoughtful contribution ensured that the medical personnel were able to stay connected with their families throughout their mission in Jamaica,” Hamilton said.

Founded in 1976, Jamaica Freight & Shipping is a full-service shipping agency representing COSCO Shipping Lines, JP Logistics Solutions, Orient Overseas Container Line Ltd (OOCL) and Mitsui OSK Lines Limited. The company provides comprehensive logistics management, including brokerage and haulage services, and serves as the exclusive port agent for WINDALCO at Port Esquivel and Bound Brook Wharf in Port Antonio. JFS also offers equipment services, dry docking facilities, and a full-service logistics centre.