Importers Asked To Pick Up Cargo From Docks
Stevedoring Services Limited is “requesting the assistance of importers to pick up their cargo off the Hamilton Docks.”
CEO Warren Jones noted that, “Due to the recent Covid-19 Regulations and businesses being closed, there was a significant drop in the number of containers being removed from the port. As a result, port congestion will be an issue if immediate relief is not provided by cargo importers.”
“On a normal day, approximately 75 containers leave the port; during last week and presently, we are seeing half that number. If the volume does not increase, space will be an issue, particularly next week as we deal with the three ships scheduled to arrive.”
“SSL has its full staff complement on-hand and there is no issue moving any cargo which is required.
“We hope that importers will respond to this request and help us to ensure that goods move freely through the port.”
Hardly surprising. Businesses are closed down so how can they, or do they want to, move containers? Something Governments cannot understand in their rush to impose restrictions – there are consequences. Is their dialogue with the businesses? Unlikely.
The main reason goods are taking so long to exit the dock is not the importer. The main reason is customs ! They are taking in access of a week to process the importers entries in some cases.When you consider the importer has 5 days to get their goods off the dock before Stevedoring starts charging them it almost seems like a scam ! Especially when Stevedoring points the finger at importers knowing full well where the hold up is .
IT IS NOT, AND I REPEAT NOT, CUSTOMS!!!!!! I’VE WORKED WITH CUSTOMS FOR OVER 30 YEARS AND HAVE YET TO SEE WHERE THEY ARE THE PROBLEM! TO DATE I STILL WORK IN THE CUSTOMS CLEARANCE FIELD AND I CAN TESTIFY THAT MY BCDS ARE ALWAYS PASSED IN A TIMELY MANNER. OF COURSE THERE ARE TIMES WHEN WE HAVE COMPUTER CLITCHES BUT WITH MAN MADE THINGS, THAT IS TO BE EXPECTED. WHEN CUSTOMS ASKES FOR A PROPER INVOICE OR CLARIFICATION ON SOMETHING, GIVE IT TO THEM AND YOUR GOODS WILL BE RELEASED PRONTO. CUSTOMS ALWAYS GETS BLAMED IN THESE TIMES LIKE THEY ARE THE HOLD UP. I CAN ASSURE YOU, CUSTOMS DOES WANT YOUR STUFF!!!!!!!