The Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago says it has taken note of the views expressed by several stakeholders including members of the business community, concerning the operations at the Port of Port of Spain (PPOS) and the impact on business and commerce.
In a media release on Tuesday, the authority assured that it’s working to clear current backlogs brought about by a recent labour shortage at the Port.
The authority said: “We wish to reassure stakeholders that all areas of our operations are ongoing and while recent labour disruptions led to a backlog in our receipt and delivery of cargo, the Port is working diligently to clear this.”
According to the authority, Port operations are a “complex dynamic” that requires several agencies including the State, the private sector and civil society to work together in the cargo clearing process. It added that challenges can arise at any stage from processing documentation to inspections and “continued collaboration and communication are critical to the effective execution of operations.”
The authority further pointed out that the time lost during port disruptions has had a cascading effect on all operations that has led to pressure on resources, and fatigue in employees who have been working over time.
The authority noted that while disruption to business has been noted, despite its sustained efforts to expedite delivery and clear the backlogs, only 20 per cent of available delivery appointments for imports have been utilised by customers at the PPOS.
“This in turn increases the inventory levels, resulting in terminal congestion and fall in efficiency as the delivery of a needed container may require shifting of several other containers,” it said.
It said the situation has also been exacerbated by the temporary closure of the Customs Examination Station (CES) – as the Customs and Excise Division (CED) has had to increase premises inspections, straining their resources.
The authority said while the CES is neither owned nor operated by the PATT, it’s working with the CED to help bring some relief to the challenges.
Source: Loop News
