PoS port waives tent fees until April 15

The Port of Port of Spain has agreed to waive all port rent charges from Monday to April 15 following negotiations with the TT Chamber of Industry and Commerce and the government. This, the chamber said in a release Sunday, will help reduce the financial constraints on business and help reduce the number of people required to facilitate clearances during the two-week restrictions on non-essential operations announced by the Prime Minister on Thursday as part of the government’s bid to curb the spread of covid19.

Discussions included concerns about demurrage – charges incurred by vessels unable to unload or load cargo in times.

The chamber said, “The issue of demurrage still remains a crucial point of discussion and we ask the government to use their office to persuade the shipping companies to follow suit and waive demurrage for all non-essential companies during this period of restricted movement under these force majeure circumstances.

"The financial implications are significant if these waivers are not granted.”

Charges prior to March 30 will still remain relevant. The Port of Point Lisas still has to respond.

The Chamber said it supported the government’s restrictions on non-essential activity and implored people to stay at home unless absolutely necessary and “flatten the curve” or else risk repercussions seen in other countries that did not effectively mitigate the spread of the virus.

“It is a time for us to be prudent, heed the instructions of government and work together to bring the situation under control.”