Shipping Association urges cargo owners to clear goods as port congestion persists

The Shipping Association of Jamaica is warning that ongoing port and warehouse congestion could worsen unless cargo owners urgently clear uncollected goods, weeks after the traditional holiday shipping rush.

The association says stripped cargo left sitting at ports and warehouses is significantly slowing operations across the maritime sector and compounding existing backlogs.

“The longer stripped cargo remains uncollected, the bigger the problem becomes,” said Corah Ann Robertson-Sylvester, president of the association, in a statement on Friday. “All institutions within the maritime sector, including government agencies, are working together to resolve this issue, but we need cargo owners to come forward and collect their goods.”

The SAJ head added that some businesses have extended operating hours to facilitate faster clearance, but stressed that progress depends on the cooperation of importers and cargo owners.

The backlog was compounded in October following Hurricane Melissa, which disrupted port operations across western Jamaica and delayed the collection of cargo already landed.

The association said the surge of relief supplies from the diaspora and international donors, combined with peak holiday imports, created "an unprecedented volume of shipments".

It said while some cargo was diverted from Montego Bay to Kingston as a contingency, terminals in the capital continue to operate above normal capacity.

The group said industry stakeholders have cited expired Unaccompanied Baggage Allowance, or “yellow form,” documents as a key contributor to delays, particularly affecting personal and relief shipments.

The association warned that delayed clearance increases demurrage and storage costs, strains supply chains in tourism and retail, and could ultimately drive up consumer prices.

Members of the public with cargo ready for collection are being urged to contact their shipping agents, brokers, or warehouse authorities to arrange immediate clearance.

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