Port Initiatives

The Port Authority is well on the way to implementing fully the eight key initiatives announced in December by the Leader of Government Business and Chairman of the Port Authority, the Hon. McKeeva Bush. The initiatives are designed to accelerate distribution and collection of post-Ivan cargo.

Since December, the volume of containers processed by the port exceeds 74,000 tons, almost 100% in excess of pre-Ivan figures, placing an overwhelming pressure on the port, said Port Director Paul Hurlston.

Identification of an off-site location near to the industrial park for the storage of light cargo was number one on the new initiative list. With the lease of 4.5 acres of land behind CUC, this was achieved in late December and has provided much needed space for cars and trailers.

The second measure involved hiring additional staff to expedite collection of goods and to cover additional operational hours. Two

Mr. Hurlston emphasized, however, that while progress is being made, containers are still coming in faster than they can be processed by the Port or collected by the private trucking firms that distribute them. Private brokerage firms are also having difficulty collecting goods consigned to them – as they simply cannot meet the demand for increased storage space at their premises. Already this month, 5,800 containers have arrived—an almost 100% increase over pre-Ivan figures.

Complicating those situations is the increasing number of containers carrying goods for multiple consignees. Clearance of goods under those conditions can keep two people busy for up to five to eight hours.

But there is light at the end of the tunnel, Mr. Hurlston concluded: “By implementing these initiatives with the support of the Chairman of the Port Authority, we are beginning to see some light at the end of the tunnel.”

He asked for continued patience, however: While the Port is instituting radical changes, “People must understand at the same time that life has changed since the hurricane. “

The Port Director, however, ended on an upbeat note, though with a continued appeal to the public: “We are currently working towards the goal of a one-week only delay from arrival to collection — but we also need the public to help us by collecting their goods in a timely manner.”