Collect barrels, boxes ASAP – Port Authority

With activity at the cargo ports expected to increase significantly into the holiday season, members of the public are being urged to move with haste in clearing packages and barrels.

Port Authority officials say they have recognized a worrying trend where consignees are notified that paperwork is ready so their goods can be cleared but they do not present themselves to the port until well after the notice is given.

This situation, as explained by Head of Operations at Port Kingstown, Sudramo Toby, often results in unnecessary congestion at the port, and also causes headaches when newly shipments are to be offloaded.

Toby said it appears that “persons don’t want to come for their barrel or box until they put away their house” referring to the tradition of cleaning and dressing their homes ahead of Christmas Day.

“We always use these forums to tell people, whenever you get the call from the shipping agent please do not procrastinate to come to the port. During this season, you would have a shipping agent who usually has two containers every fortnight and that would increase from one container a week to sometimes 12 or 15, and that is just one shipping agent.”

He added that with limited space at the ports, cargo has to be cleared in quick time for operations to run smoothly.

“Unfortunately the Port cannot manufacture space, and in order for us to be able to empty the containers and empty other containers to make available for other customers, persons who have their cargo available need to come and pick it up on time. We are impressing on persons- when you get the phone call please visit and collect your cargo.”

Toby also said that while persons may be willing and able to pay the storage fees which range from $29 for a barrel, and around $100 for larger container after the five-day grace period has elapsed, the Port Authority would prefer to have the space available rather than to collect fees.

“Yes, you may encounter excess storage [fees] if you leave them after a certain time, but we prefer for you to collect the cargo than to collect your additional fees.”

In 2023, across all locations-the Geest Shed, the main Kingstown Port and Campden Park, the Port Authority cleared close to 200 boxes in the month of December.

Meanwhile, Chief Operating Officer, Walwyn Nicholls is calling on the public to make use of the extended hours which have been put in place to improve clearance times at the ports.

“… for us at the port we recognize the need to have it, but for the public I don’t think they really see the true value in the extended hours because I can tell you, it has not been well patronized over time but we still kept it.”

He added, “… if you utilize that service period that we offer, you would

be amazed to know how quickly you can get in and out”.

The hours of operations are 8:00 a.m to 6:00 p.m from December 19 to 23, with the December 21, 2024 closing time set for 4:00 p.m. Collection will also close off early on December 24 and 31, 2024.

The government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has offered duty-free concessions on barrels from July 1 to December 31 in response to the widespread damage caused by Hurricane Beryl both in the Grenadines and on the mainland.