UPDATE: HM Customs lifts cargo discharge embargo @ Port Purcell
Mr Smith told Virgin Islands News Online newsroom yesterday, January 23, 2018 that the “action was taken as a measure to ensure safety standards were achieved at the port.”
In a Government Information Services (GIS) press release after our story broke, Government Spokeswoman Desiree Smith said, “HM Customs has resumed the clearing and discharge of cargo to customers.”
The Commissioner of Customs told GIS, “I am satisfied with the efforts made today to clear up a great portion of the area; hence we were able to resume discharge.”
NDP has no plans?
Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL), during his One-on-One briefing with the media on January 18, 2018 to update on recovery efforts said, “The Port Purcell Cargo Dock is an important element in our recovery efforts. It is our main facility for the importation of goods to the Territory”, according to the GIS statement.
He claimed his Government hears clearly the public’s concerns and cries about the present situation at the port and will continue to work diligently to address it. However, his critics said the National Democratic Party Government is only “reacting to criticism after the fact and they are yet to have solid plans to address post recovery challenges.”
Further clean up and discharge will continue to ensure that the port remains a safe place for all persons utilising the area, according to GIS.
See previous article published January 23, 2018
HM Customs ceases discharging of cargo @ Port Purcell over safety concerns
- Commissioner of Customs Wade N. Smith said carriers failed to comply with safety procedures
Regarding it “a scary situation” due to the congestion of containers at the dock at Port Purcell, Tortola, Her Majesty’s Customs today, January 23, 2018 ceased the discharging of all cargo until carriers come into full compliance.
The congestion, this news site was told, was causing safety concerns and lengthy delays in persons receiving their shipped goods.
According to Commissioner of Customs Wade N. Smith in an exclusive interview with this news site, the enforcement came after weeks of notifications and non-compliance. “They [have] been informed, notified, meetings had and now the condition is still the same so it is enforcement. It is scary as a port user and officials to be working on that dock. It is a scary situation. That is why we had to step in, to make sure it is safe for all.”
This news site was told by Mr Smith that the clearing of the dock/space is the responsibility of the carriers, which currently number about 5, and that there is in excess of a hundred empty containers being stored on the facility. “We need a logistical plan on how those will be removed before we can allow any discharge of cargo.”
Asked if the carriers were complying, Mr Smith responded in the affirmative, adding “because before anything can be discharged the area has to meet the satisfaction and approval of the Customs Department.”
“They are working on that as we speak to ensure that the area is cleaned from a safety standpoint. There have been multiple accidents, with containers falling within the past month. Containers are falling on trucks, [even] crushing a truck. So those are my concerns, safety first.”
This news site was informed that HM Customs is responsible for the discharge and loading of all cargo and so it is ensuring that the area is cleaned up to also make the environment safe for Customs Officers to perform and execute their duties in an “efficient and effective manner.”
Massive delays due to port congestion
Another major concern by HM Customs that led to enforcement today is the congestion on the dock. The congestion is reportedly causing lengthy delays in people receiving their goods. “We have people coming to us whose goods have been delivered in the Territory since early December and have still not received them. So those are also concerns. It’s massive congestion that is also causing major delays,” Mr Smith stated.
The Commissioner of Customs explained that HM Customs met with all carriers and the BVI Ports Authority about two weeks ago, and the carriers were notified that they would not be allowed to discharge their cargo until their areas are kept clean and where Customs Officers can perform their duties in a safe environment.
“They were written to about it and we have even met with the carriers about two Sundays ago and we did a complete cleanup and logistical re-arrangement of containers with the carriers. It is still back in this condition,” Mr Smith stated.
It is unclear how soon the dock would be cleared for HM Customs to allow the resumption of cargo at Port Purcell.
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15 Responses to “UPDATE: HM Customs lifts cargo discharge embargo @ Port Purcell”
So how is it that custom is blaming the carriers? And why is the environment to be made safe for customs officers only? The fact that customs has allowed the dock to get to this state suggests we need a change in customs leadership.