Port overload

IMPORTERS OF MORE THAN 400 vehicles left in the Bridgetown Port face the possibility of them being auctioned off if not collected in 14 days.

Chief executive officer of the Barbados Port Inc. (BPI) David Jean-Marie and Comptroller of Customs Owen Holder made that known yesterday in response to the high number of uncollected shipments contributing to delays with other imports.

During a press conference at Cube Blue, Harbour Road, St Michael, Jean-Marie explained that their storage capacity was under strain as the vehicles remained for much longer than required.

“Our physical count on Monday, February 10, 2025, totalled 469 vehicles and 28 vehicle shells in the port. Customs had a legitimate interest in another 15 vehicles, also in the port. This situation is contributing significantly to congestion as some of these automobiles have had to be placed in areas designated for the storage of containers.

“Containers, as a result, are being stored at three and four high, making it necessary for us to shift multiple containers to retrieve those requested for delivery. This is impacting both full and empty containers,” said Jean-Marie.

From 3 to 218 days

Some of the vehicles have been in port from three days to more than a year.

He acknowledged the progressive increase in the time trucks spent in the port. The time in port more than doubled the 35 minutes target set with some reaching 88 minutes in January this year.

Recently, the port had to reduce how many trucks were allowed in and one arriving vessel was also impacted.

“Due to the amount of activity in the terminal during the 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. period, the number of trucks allowed in port has had to be reduced. With cargo ships being serviced and cruise operations also being active, we have had to reduce the truck delivery lanes from four to two. The trucks are marshalled outside of the North Gate.

“Just last month, one vessel originally scheduled to arrive on January 20, 2025, did not call as there was simply no room to handle an additional 400 vehicles. Two vehicle carriers had been discharged in the previous week,” he said.

In the next five days, 842 vehicles will be arriving. The first shipment on February 13 includes 150 vehicles, 42 of which are to be transshipped to Grenada.

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Come and get your cargo!

That is the plea of chief executive officer of Barbados Port Inc. David Jean Marie as he responded to complaints about the length of time some people have to wait to get their items.

He blamed, among other things, the large number of uncollected vehicles at the port for the back up.

Here, a view of the many containers stacked at the Bridgetown Port late last month.

(Picture by Jameel Springer.)

The second shipment on February 15 has a count of 98 and the third, due on February 17, 2025, is expected to bring 594 vehicles.

“We are therefore appealing to consignees to hasten the clearance and collection of their cargo from the port. Importers and consignees are reminded that they have a responsibility to submit appropriate documentation, obtain the delivery order from the agent or the freight forwarder, obtain release documents from Customs and other regulatory agencies, settle their financial obligations to the port and take delivery of the cargo. This process is conveniently facilitated electronically to facilitate faster clearance.”

While stressing that aged cargo also carried an increased health risk, he urged consignees with challenges to reach out before the 30-day grace period for all cargo which is classified as aged cargo and can be put up for auction.

“Extended storage in port amidst increasing cargo and cruise activity is a courtesy we can no longer afford, even with the collection of storage charges beyond the five business days free storage,” he said.

While importers were previously given grace, Holder reminded of the law which says that cargo should be cleared in 14 days.

“The length of time of cars remaining in port means that the revenue on those cars cannot be collected. Under our Act [the Barbados Customs Act], goods should be cleared within 14 days by sea, and if they are not cleared by sea, they should be sold by auction. “This situation in the port has left us with no option but to pursue the law and to proceed with necessary auctions if the cargo is not cleared within the specific time,” Holder said.

He added that there is a small number of vehicles for which customers are in discussion with importers.

“We will honour that commitment to make sure that we will continue that discussion with the view of coming to an agreement. But the other vehicles will be subject to auction.”

Regarding the auctions, he said the public would be informed of the dates.

“I will say again, cargo, imported cargo, should be cleared within 14 days of the arrival by sea, and that is the framework with which we will operate regarding the auction of the goods,” Holder added. (TG)