Susan Gordon, Business Reporter

In this September 2006 Gleaner photo, Chris Bicknell (left), CEO and financial manager of Tank-Weld Group, in discussion with his brother Bruce Bicknell, managing director of Tank-Weld Metals, during the press con-ference to announce the company's Port Rio Bueno project. - File

Even before the first shipload of steel rolls in next month at the new $2.3-billion Rio Bueno port in Trelawny, the Bicknells, who own the facility, say their entry in the market is expected to stir up rivalry and are bracing for the response of existing players.

But, on Tuesday, the other private port, Kingston Wharves Limited (KW), dismissed any suggestion of plans to muscle out the new player.

"This requires a written explanation. I can't give you a fulsome response right now," said KW's Grantley Stephenson with a chuckle. "Call back later."

Limit business

But Chris Bicknell, managing director of Tank-Weld, says the company is aware of a lobby to limit the amount of business Rio Bueno can do, and is on the alert for a possible legal fight.

"They want the whole hog," said Bicknell. The Port Authority did not respond to requests for comments.

The Trelawny port, which is 90 per cent complete, is licensed to import steel, cement, lumber and aggregate and liquid petroleum gas (LPG).

Tank-Weld, which announced its port project in 2006, says it entered the business to build out a more efficient supply and distribution chain for its construction business.

The first ship, said Bicknell, will call at the Rio Bueno port on August 14 and the next will call sometime in September with lumber. He said his company had not yet sourced a reliable cement supplier.

Rio Bueno, at the request of the Government, will also be the point from which limestone is shipped, allowing the government to move ahead with plans to convert the Reynolds pier in neighbouring St Ann into a cruise ship port.

susan.gordon@gleanerjm.com