An importer is complaining of significant delays in clearing containers from the Bridgetown Port and warns that the additional container rental costs when passed on to the consumer could further increase the cost of goods.
Richard Ashby, Managing Director of Hill’s Milling and Lionel C. Hill Supermarket says the situation with no-cargo days at the port is particularly critical this week, largely due to docking berths being taken up by cruise ships, making it very difficult to have containers cleared.
The Port has previously pointed out in a statement that when all berths are dedicated to cruise ships those days are as designated as “no cargo” days where cargo vessels cannot discharge or load cargo during the day.,
Sources also tell Starcom Network News that along with a number of cruise ships having docked here and occupying space, the rough seas have also affected the docking of cargo ships and the going work at the port has limited the space for cargo operations.
Mr. Ashby says the result is major issues getting cargo cleared.
Richard Ashby, Managing Director of Hill’s Milling and Lionel C. Hill Supermarket.
President of the Customs Brokers Association, Louis Forde, confirms the cargo delays and notes that the Port has briefed stakeholders on the challenges.
He confirmed that additional container costs could affect consumer prices but noted the port waves some cargo storage costs.
President of the Customs Brokers Association, Louis Forde.
