GEORGETOWN, Guyana — The Shipping Association of Guyana (SAG) has engaged in high-level talks with the Port of Port of Spain in Trinidad and Tobago to address persistent delays affecting the movement of containerized cargo destined for Guyana, particularly ahead of the peak Christmas shipping season.
SAG Chairman Dr. Komal Singh, accompanied by shipping agents and port operators, met with Port of Port of Spain Chief Executive Officer Robert Ramsubhag and his senior team to identify bottlenecks in the regional logistics chain and explore solutions to improve cargo flow.
Dr. Singh also held discussions with the Comptroller of Customs in Trinidad, noting that challenges within the customs department were contributing to longer processing times. He said both the department and the Trinidadian government have committed to making changes that will improve cargo movement across the region.
“As Guyana continues to experience delays in the delivery of containerized cargo, it is essential that we understand and resolve the issues at the source,” Singh said. “With the busy Christmas season approaching, timely intervention is critical.”
Regional port delays — compounded by global supply chain disruptions — have affected transshipment operations, particularly in Trinidad and Jamaica. These disruptions have slowed the movement of containers bound for Guyana and other Caribbean destinations.
Despite the challenges, the average transshipment time has improved from 24 days to about 15 days, according to port officials. Approximately 594 containers bound for Guyana are currently at the Port of Trinidad and Tobago. Stakeholders said further gains are possible with coordinated action and targeted interventions.
“This engagement is part of our ongoing effort to strengthen collaboration within the Caribbean shipping network,” Singh said. “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 SAG and the Port of Port of Spain agreed to hold regular meetings to monitor progress and identify measures individual shipping lines can adopt to reduce delays. Officials noted that not all shipping lines are affected equally, suggesting that operational practices may also play a role.
The Shipping Association of Guyana said it remains committed to fostering stronger regional partnerships to deliver greater reliability, predictability, and efficiency in maritime logistics serving Guyana and the wider Caribbean.