Barbados Port Inc Warns of Peak Season Delays, Plans Dedicated Cargo Berth

The Barbados Port Inc (BPI) is cautioning members of the public to expect delays during the peak cruise and cargo season even as there are plans for a dedicated cargo berth.

A release recently said the facility was trying to balance both cruise and cargo requirements, but this is guided by the “age-old stated national policy where cruise vessels are accorded priority over cargo ships and cargo lines are aware that they have to plan around this mandate with the former given priority”.

Using Tuesday as an example, the Port welcomed four cruise ships comprising the Seabourn Ovation with 532 passengers, Explora I with 900, the Resilient Lady with 2 245 on her inaugural visit and 5 083 on board the MSC Virtuosa which is home porting here and also took on 23 containers, each 40ft.

Overall, 168 full containers were handled at the Port on Tuesday.

“The close arrival of three cargo vessels discharging 100-plus containers each in the last two days, meant containers had to be stacked high, resulting in significant shifting to retrieve those ready for delivery. Where normally four delivery lanes are dedicated for trucks, BPI was forced to work across three lanes only, due to the congestion in Port,” the release said.

“Peak days are characterised by personnel and heavy-duty equipment in operation, as well as ground transport – taxis and tour buses, and visitors both local and foreign – all in a single space.”

Government has already identified the construction of Berth 6 at a cost of $108 million, scheduled for completion in June 2025. It will be dedicated to cargo.

“This will allow for simultaneous berthing of cruise and cargo vessels. The ultimate goal is to achieve a separation of cruise and cargo operations, with the construction of new cruise facilities. The investment required for such is significant and the Port continues discussions with potential partners, investors and financiers on dedicated cruise facilities,” the release added.

Tuesday was designated a no-cargo day, one of 42 on the calendar during the peak season from October 2024 to April 2025. On those days, vessels can’t discharge or load cargo during the day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. as all berths are occupied by cruise ships.

In order to ensure a smooth flow, the Operations team hosts daily briefings focussed on vessel planning, at which agents and vessel representatives are present.

BPI also refuted claims made that the JPO Aquila container ship bypassed Bridgetown Tuesday because it was deemed a “no cargo” day. Instead, it said, the vessel “took the decision not to call at Bridgetown in an effort to get back on schedule” and “would not have made its scheduled call at Bridgetown” because it was late arriving in Trinidad and Tobago and had to wait a day before berthing.

“The Port of Bridgetown understands the need to balance services to both cruise and cargo customers both of which are very critical, for different reasons, to the economy of Barbados,” the statement said.