Port Lafito committed to continuing operations through Haiti’s waves of unrest

Haiti is a country in crisis with spiralling gang violence killing hundreds and driving hundreds of thousands more from their homes. Among this unrest, world-standard terminal Port Lafito remains open. Andress Appolon, the port’s general manager, reveals how operations are maintained while keeping the workforce safe.

“Nothing about operating a terminal (or any business, for that matter) in and around the Port-au-Prince area is normal these days,” says Andress Appolon, the general manager of Port Lafito – Haiti’s first Panamax port and the Caribbean’s newest world-standard marine container terminal.

Haiti has been under a state of emergency since March 2024 with spiralling gang violence bringing a new level of despair to a country that has been ravaged by natural disasters and epidemics in recent years. Port-au-Prince, the country’s capital, is seeing the worst of the troubles. Gangs have taken over more than 80 per cent of the city, forcing thousands to flee from their homes and straining already limited aid sources.

Protected setting
Port Lafito has some breathing room from the chaos of the capital. It is located 20km north of Port-au-Prince along the Gulf of Gonâve and is sheltered within Lafito Global – a secure 400-hectare fully integrated economic zone (IEZ), which is the first of its kind in Haiti. The port, which became operational in 2015, is the cornerstone of the Lafito Global project and benefits from its suite of state-of-the-art operational infrastructure services such as a 24MW Power Plant, an industrial and commercial free zone with over 30,000m2 of warehousing, a business park with a fully operational cement plant, on-site housing and more.

Appolon, who is GM of both Lafito Industrial Free Zone and Port Lafito, says the strategic location outside of the challenge of the city center and the IEZ’s on-site facilities have been key to ensuring operational continuity. “Seaside and landside visibility in and around Port Lafito is unobstructed, allowing for better surveillance and monitoring than installations in more congested areas. In addition, access by land is controlled by several security layers and access by sea is monitored by offshore security surveillance team and the maritime patrol team.

Safety and security are paramount with the rigorous standards paying off, according to Appolon. “Port Lafito management and operations remain vigilant, responsive and adaptive to the changing security climate.

“In 2024, Port Lafito received and serviced every scheduled container vessel and bulk vessel all without any security incident on approach, during operations or departure.”

Even when the supply chain has to venture beyond the IEZ’s buffer zone, Appolon says the protection continues. “On the inland side of operations, Port Lafito has responded to the difficult security situation throughout the Port- au-Prince metropolitan area by providing importers and exporters alike with a full-service experience, akin to door-to-door. In 2024, through a robust logistics operation, Port Lafito achieved a 99.8% delivery success rate.”

Operations continue
Incredibly, given the insecurity and upheaval in Haiti over the past year, Appolon says the port has operated almost unbroken in 2024. She says: “Due to our excellent collaboration with our exclusive sealines, vessel owners and government authorities, Port Lafito has never closed maritime traffic at any point over the last year. However, as a matter of precaution and safety, Port Lafito was forced to suspend delivery operations for no more than a week, notably at the height of the crises in March and November 2024 when the closure of the international airport led to widespread business interruption.”

Over a decade ago, parent company GB Group set up Lafito Global to serve as a logistics, industrial and energy hub. The plan was to attract local and international investors and innovators to create much-needed jobs and maximise the country’s potential for economic growth. Port Lafito was integral to this long-term mission and its commitment to the cause continues under the current challenges.

Driving economic growth
The port is a founding member of the Haitian Ports Association (APHA), port infrastructure owners dedicated to the development of port infrastructure across Haiti to drive international maritime trade and foster economic growth. Of the seven privately held terminals in the bay of Port-au-Prince, to the best of Appolon’s knowledge four – Port Lafito, Terminal Varreux, Thor Terminal and Terminal Abraham – remain operational.

Port Lafito’s commitment to remaining operational during the most challenging times this past year is, Appolon says, “not just important to the survival and revival of the Haitian economy, but it is also vital to its growth and innovation in the future”.

“By fighting daily for operational continuity, the port serves as a catalyst for the flow of essential goods and resources that sustain livelihoods and industries in the greater Port-au-Prince area and beyond. It is this resilience that not only helps to stabilize key economic sectors today but will also help build confidence among investors and partners in the future and serve as a solid foundation for future growth. “In times of instability, such continuity not only protects the economy but also positions it to recover more robustly. Port Lafito and the entire GB Group are demonstrating how steadfast commitment to operations can catalyze a stronger and more resilient economy for Haitians.”

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