Port congestion, other disruptions slow cargo flow to Guyana — SAG

The Shipping Association of Guyana (SAG) has issued an update to the business community and general public regarding ongoing regional disruptions that are affecting the movement of containerised cargo into Guyana.

According to SAG, the challenges stem primarily from the recent impact of Hurricane Melissa, which forced the closure of the Port of Kingston in Jamaica for approximately five days. This shutdown significantly disrupted regional transhipment operations, as Kingston serves as a key hub for cargo moving across the Caribbean.

The temporary closure has since compounded existing congestion issues at major regional ports, leading to delays in the movement of goods destined for Guyana.

Further complicating the situation, the Port of Port of Spain in Trinidad and Tobago also experienced operational congestion over a four-day period. This bottleneck limited the loading of transhipment containers bound for Guyana, adding to the growing backlog.

As a result of these combined disruptions, shipping delays and longer vessel turnaround times are now being experienced across routes servicing Guyana. Businesses relying on timely imports and exports may see temporary impacts as the regional logistics network works to recover.

In response, SAG said it is actively engaging with the Port Authority of Port of Spain and regional shipping lines to prioritise berthing and loading for vessels heading to Guyana. These efforts are aimed at clearing the backlog and restoring the normal flow of cargo as quickly as possible.

The association reaffirmed its commitment to supporting its members, as well as importers and exporters, through ongoing communication and coordination with regional partners.

SAG emphasized that it will continue to monitor the situation closely and work collaboratively to minimise the impact on Guyana’s supply chain.