LOCAL IMPORTERS are apparently hopping mad over having to fork out millions of dollars in charges for holding on to cargo containers too long.
Chief executive officer of Barbados Port Inc. David Jean-Marie gave some indication of the dimensions of the problem at a Barbados Chamber of Commerce & Industry seminar on Wednesday when he said the figure for the charges last year totalled $15 million.
However, he was quick to point out that what was referred to in the world of shipping as “demurrage” was “not a port charge”.
Shipping lines allow importers of containerised cargo a number of days to use and return the containers. If the importer does not return the container in the specified time, the lines charge a fee for demurrage and this is collected locally on their behalf. (TY)
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