The Shipping Association of Guyana (SAG), led by Chairman Dr. Komal Singh, held a high-level meeting with the Chief Executive Officer of the Port of Port of Spain, Mr. Robert Ramsubhag, along with his senior management team, to address the ongoing delays affecting the movement of containerised cargo destined for Guyana.
The meeting, which brought together port operators, shipping agents, and members of the private sector, focused on identifying the root causes of regional shipping disruptions and exploring collaborative solutions to improve the timely flow of goods within the region.
As Guyana continues to experience delays in the delivery of containerised cargo, the discussion aimed to better understand the challenges faced at the Port of Port of Spain and across the regional logistics chain. The Shipping Association emphasised the importance of addressing these issues promptly, particularly as the country moves into the busy Christmas season, when import volumes typically surge.
During the engagement, both parties recognised that global supply chain disruptions compounded by port congestion in Trinidad and other logistical constraints have contributed significantly to delays in transshipment destined for Guyana.
Currently, the average transshipment time has improved from 24 days to 15 days, accounting for approximately 500 containers. However, stakeholders noted that without swift and coordinated action, delays could worsen in the coming months.
Chairman Dr. Komal Singh reaffirmed SAG’s commitment to working closely with regional partners to improve efficiency, stating:
“This engagement is part of our ongoing effort to strengthen collaboration within the Caribbean shipping network. We are committed to finding practical solutions that enhance cargo movement and ensure Guyanese businesses and consumers are not adversely affected by regional bottlenecks.”
Both the Shipping Association of Guyana and the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago have agreed to hold frequent meetings to monitor progress and explore specific measures that individual shipping lines can take to alleviate the current challenges. It was also noted that not all shipping lines are affected by the delays.
The SAG remains dedicated to fostering stronger regional partnerships to ensure reliability, predictability, and efficiency in maritime logistics serving Guyana and the wider Caribbean.
