MP Fahy & Govt On Shipping, Costs & More
MP Michael Fahy and the Government released statements related to a shipping proposal and the handling of the potential impact on Bermuda.
MP Michael Fahy’s Comments
Mr Fahy said, “Last week in an interview with ZBM, I stated that due to US tariffs imposed by President of the United States Donald Trump, that food costs, already far too high, will increase. I mentioned the cost of bread that would increase from $8 to maybe $12 or more. Well, that is likely to be higher given there is a proposal for hefty fees on Chinese-built vessels entering U.S. ports under a union-supported plan to spur U.S. shipbuilding.
“Reuters reported that under the proposal, a vessel owned by Chinese maritime transport operators would pay a port entrance fee of up to $1 million per vessel. The fee for other operators using Chinese-built ships could top out at $1.5 million. Well, the MV Oleander was built in China and there are also potential moves for any non-US built vessel to attract similar fees.
“This would have a serious impact on freight costs and therefore all costs from bread to anything imported by ship from the US. To Bermuda. I understand it could mean freight charges on each imported container could move from around $3000 to and additional $10,000 or more.
“We have to presume the Bermuda Government is aware of such increases on costs to all Bermudians and Bermuda residents. What is the Government doing about this clear and present danger to our cost of living? Will this mean potential subsidies on freight? Are non-US ports being looked at including Canada, Europe and UK? The people of Bermuda deserve to know.”
Government response
In response, a government spokesperson said, “This evening the Cabinet Office confirmed that the Government is fully engaged on the USTA’s proposal which could impact shipping to Bermuda.
“From the moment this issue arose, our Washington DC team has been engaged in direct discussions with relevant agencies in the US capital. That work has been augmented locally by a series of meetings including Government House, the US Consul General, the Cabinet Office, and the Ministry of National Security.
“This is a serious issue, and the Government continues to liaise with the leadership of the container lines that may be impacted. Food security and an uninterrupted supply chain are critical to Bermuda and the Government is working to ensure this is made clear to the relevant Committee set to consider the issues later this month. The Opposition’s statement is an unhelpful, amateurish descent into politicising an issue on which one would expect their support.”
Premier and Minister of Finance David Burt added, “My phone number and email address remain the same, and I encourage the Leader of the Opposition to use it if he or his members have questions on official matters.
“The continued attempts of the Opposition to try to conduct public policy through the press for the last three weeks shows they have not learned the lessons from the election — that obstruction and deflection without presenting alternatives is not the way to earn the support of voters.”
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Fahy is the first politician I have heard mention the tarriffs and what effect it will have on prices here.
Michael Fahy’s comments are based on speculation, but at least he has the presence of mind to recognise the issue.
Keeping Michael Fahy around is like cancer for the opposition. They’ll see next election.
And keeping the PLP in power is cancer for all of BDA.
But we know how much more you love your Party than your island.
Burt is as ever deflecting. Maybe if his government would provide the public with the sort of information he complains the opposition is politicizing, the public would see transparency. Instead the status quo continues and the public stay uninformed, unless the opposition bring these matters up in public. He then complains.
“The continued attempts of the Opposition to try to conduct public policy through the press for the last three weeks shows they have not learned the lessons from the election — that obstruction and deflection without presenting alternatives is not the way to earn the support of voters.”
Clearly he hasnt learned anything from the election – most notably, the majority of the people dont like you or the PLP and want you gone.
On this issue, we need to move away from relying on the US. We need a longer term plan and i can guarantee the PLP only has plans to line their own pockets.
LOL
Fahy’s comments are like DUH.
Fahy’s comments will come back and bite you.
What exactly is he saying that is rocket science? Everyone sees and knows what is going on.
His only goal is to cause discord and imply that the government is doing nothing or has no idea what to do.
That is untrue and only shows his arrogance and the plan of the OBA. And continues to show their unreadiness for governance.
Start shipping via Canada?
It sounds to me like an opportunity for shippers using US-built/non-Chinese built ships to grab the Bermuda market. I guess it would be too much to ask the Government to look into such things by reaching out to other shippers.
The Bermuda Government is not in the shipping business and I implore you not to encourage any such ideas
Time to restart growing own vegetables and spices and quit buying everything from the big stores.
Support local farmers more and place embargoes on more of what grows locally
Fahy thanks for returning to help the OBA lose the election.
The government response is awesome.