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The Port of Bridgetown is experiencing the best of times and seemingly the worst of times, with both significantly positive and negative events happening simultaneously.
On the positive side, the Port is registering increased activity in its key commercial lines of cargo and cruise.
The issues we are experiencing, however, are resultant from the knock-on effects of multiple factors, some beyond our human control.
The Port has in recent weeks been impacted by a general increase in cargo destined for the local market and significant variance in cargo vessel estimated time of arrival versus the actual arrival. We noted circumstances where the arrival of some vessels was delayed by more than 48 hours, offsetting assigned plans for equipment and labour. This is as a result of delays experienced in previous ports of call. We have also seen some bundling in ship arrivals, each expecting immediate delivery of services.
Our operations have been impacted by the occurrence of severe swell conditions, which since the start of this year, have occurred at an unprecedented level and are still ongoing. This has caused berthing delays, reduced cargo discharge rates, as well as ongoing damage to the fendering system within the Deep Water Harbour. Our Bulk Handling Facility sustained significant damage during the January 11, 2025 swell event.
Following this sequence of events, we are extending our best efforts to regain some return to normalcy within our operations.
Berthing Capacity
We acknowledge the constraints of our current berthing capacity, and we understand the concerns being expressed with respect to berth availability during the peak cargo months of November, December and January, which also coincide with our peak cruise activity.
Indeed, this has triggered much-publicised commentary on “no cargo days” and has fuelled contention that berthing preference to cruise ships is impacting costs and the flow of goods to retail shelves.
We reiterate that contrary to the terminology, a day designated as “no cargo day” does not mean cargo vessels cannot berth at the Port of Bridgetown. Similarly, it does not mean cargo handling is not possible. The description is used for days when the discharge or loading of cargo occurs outside of the 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. period on that day.
On days like these, we are still delivering cargo from Shed 4 (commercial cargo)
and Shed 2 (personal cargo) and we are still delivering containers to importers during the daytime hours.
The Port of Bridgetown, therefore, continues to execute cargo operations and berth vessels amidst cruise vessel traffic.
With multiple cruise ships sailing into Port during the period January 22-27, 2025, cargo vessel operations were scheduled following the cruise ships’ departure.
Cruise activity peaks this month, with 95 cruise ship calls scheduled, the highest arrivals in a single month for the six-month winter season. This number compares to 71 calls in December 2024 and 57 in November 2024.
For the calendar year January to December 2024, cruise calls numbered 433, up 16% against the 374 cruise calls in 2023. Of these, home port calls totalled 199, as compared to 134 in 2023, and represented 47% of all cruise calls. Associated increased home port activity, transcends into increased transhipment cargo for vessel provisioning.
Cargo vessel calls at the main harbour were generally maintained at about the same volume with 534 in 2024 and 531 in 2023. Calls at the Bulk Handling Facility increased from 54 in 2023 to 67 in 2024.
Eye on Productivity
We aim continuously to ensure that all necessary resources are in place to deliver on customer expectations – this includes both human resources, as well as cargo handling equipment.
We have intensified our engagement with the work teams on vessel planning and improved performance levels, as well as the workers’ representative in reinforcing the attainment of our Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), particularly those related to moves per hour and vessel wait times.
We continue to host daily briefing meetings on operations, where all vessel agents are invited to participate, though 100% attendance has not always been attainable.
We continue to be flexible, extending weekday opening hours and opening on weekends as required, to facilitate commercial and personal cargo collection and delivery.
Outside of the free storage period, where circumstances are justified, the Port extends a waiver on storage charges.
We note on the positive side, that container dwell time was maintained throughout the year at six calendar days.
We have, however, observed that some vehicle shipments are taking longer to be withdrawn by their consignees. This situation is contributing to congestion in the Port. Following the discharge of two vehicle carriers last week, another vessel, originally scheduled to arrive on January 20, 2025, did not call as there was no room to handle an additional 400 vehicles.
Additionally, there are still some consignees, who opt to use the Port for the storage of their containers, retrieving them as they are needed.
Importers and consignees are reminded that they have a responsibility to submit appropriate documentation, obtain the delivery order from the agent or from the freight forwarder, obtain release documents from Customs and other regulatory agencies, settle their financial obligations to the Port and take delivery of the cargo. This process is conveniently facilitated electronically.
The prompt transfer of cleared, ready-for-delivery, and aged cargo from the port will help us in maximising yard utilisation and in ensuring we are operating well within our capacity.
Bulk Handling Contingency Plan
While access to the Bulk Handling Facility remains restricted, a contingency plan is being finalised for the discharge of bulk cargo. The plan, which invited input from importers, agents and Government officials, will ensure the delivery of cargo critical to projects like the repair of the breakwater at the Bridgetown Fishing Complex.
One solution will incorporate the utilisation of barges in the discharge of the remaining armoured stones earmarked for the fishing project. Sand will also be discharged via barge. Grain will be discharged directly into the hopper at the Bulk Facility. Some retrofit of the berth is being done to accommodate this operation safely. Assessment for the repair of the facility is still ongoing.
Expansion of the Physical Asset Base
Port facility expansion is at the forefront of our priority tasks. Cognisant that improved operational efficiency requires a separation of our cruise and cargo operations, we sought to build out a new, dedicated cargo berth — Berth 6, as detailed in our Port Master Plan 2020-2030.
Construction, which began in early 2023 and was due to be completed in August 2024, has, however, been protracted by multiple factors, including unfavourable marine conditions such as swell events and plagued multiple equipment breakdowns.
Barbados Port Inc. has been working with the contractor to ensure steps were taken to regain some of the time lost. Efforts included the introduction of two shifts for select project activities, procurement of additional equipment to work on the job and the rental of additional crane equipment to complement the shore-based marine work programme.
The Berth is now scheduled for completion in June 2025.
Berth 6 will allow for the separation of cruise and cargo ship traffic during the peak season and will optimise existing space available to meet future berthing requirements and container throughput demands. In addition to the 315-metre-long, 13-metre deep berth, there is an upland development package included in the project, comprising the paving of a 9.4-acre container yard and the installation of all requisite infrastructure to increase our cargo handling capacity.
Barbados Port Inc. reassures the public that we are committed to minimising disruptions and enhancing the overall efficiency of port operations. Our focus remains on supporting a stable supply chain for commodities, reducing operating and import costs. Our team is dedicated to resolving any issues that arise in this regard. We appreciate the continued cooperation and support from other agencies of Government and our private sector partners, as we strive to improve service delivery and better meet the needs of our customers
