Shipping industry not passing on increased charges to importers – Shipping Association

Last Updated on Sunday, 25 January 2026, 23:44 by Writer

Rejecting claims by the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) that the Shipping Association of Guyana (SAG) had ignored requests for a meeting, SAG President Komal Singh on Sunday said the industry was incurring higher operational costs but importers were not being charged more.

“The Shipping Association also wishes to advise the public that shipping lines and wharf operators continue to face a number of challenges beyond their control. Many of these challenges carry significant financial implications, which are currently being absorbed by the respective companies,” SAG said in a statement.

Mr Singh later told Demerara Waves Online News that port congestion, as a result of port unavailability, was causing delays in offloading cargo but importers were not being asked to pay the additional charges. “All the additional costs incurred, they cannot pass that to anyone since they already collect freight from customers,” he said.

The SAG President said another challenge was the length of time it takes for local agents to wire transfer United States dollar payments for freight collect – shipping lines bring cargo to Guyana after which customers pay the freight. “The longer they take to get their funds remitted the finance cost goes up for them again. They cannot claim that from anyone,” he said.

Mr Singh could not say how much money was being absorbed by shipping lines.

Despite those and other challenges, he said SAG was instrumental in getting the relevant stakeholders in the twin-island nation of Trinidad and Tobago in easing shipping delays. “We were able to work with Port of Spain to get them to reduce the delay at that port for TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) and vessels, I must say they have been very supportive by allowing vessels to get loading slots without much delay,” he said.

Deeming GCCI claims that SAG failed to meet with “aggrieved members” up to last Friday as “reckless and ill-informed”, the association sought to set the record straight.

SAG said that on November 26, 2025, it received correspondence from the GCCI outlining certain concerns and requesting a meeting.

On that same date, SAG said it responded in writing, proposing two possible meeting dates in December 2025 and indicating its willingness to meet on any alternative date convenient to the GCCI but so far there has been no answer. “To date, the Shipping Association has received no response or confirmation from the GCCI regarding this matter,” SAG said.

SAG says it remains committed to dialogue and constructive engagement.

The Association says it will once again write to the GCCI inviting them to meet, and it is hopeful that, on this occasion, the Chamber will respond and engage in meaningful discussions rather than pursuing the matter through public discourse.