An improved operational plan has been effected to assist homeport cruise passengers disembarking within the Port of Bridgetown. The announcement was made by Barbados Port Inc. (BPI) Chief Executive Officer, Mr. David Jean-Marie. “BPI recognizes that some guests who had taken the Rhapsody of Seas cruise were in recent times understandably unhappy with traffic movements within the Port of Bridgetown which may have caused a disappointing end to their vacation. The main challenge related to the transit of disembarking guests and luggage between the homeport terminal (Shed 3) and the exit gate”, he said.
New Operational Plan
The CEO revealed that BPI, in collaboration with the Customs and Excise Department, has therefore sought to ensure that the passenger, upon final clearance of baggage, now has the following options:
- Board any of the free shuttle buses with luggage, transiting from Shed 3 to the Cruise Terminal Carpark, which has been designated for passenger Pickup/Dropoff.
- Take one of the taxis available at Shed 3 for transport to final destination.
- Walk if preferred with their luggage, from Shed 3 to the designated passenger Pickup/Dropoff area or Exit gate.
To facilitate this process, BPI has committed to the following:
- Provision of more suitable shuttle buses, with a larger seating capacity and baggage compartment.
- Provision of personnel to assist in loading and offloading baggage from the vehicles at Shed 3 and Cruise Terminal Carpark.
- Continued rotation of authorised taxis at Shed 3 to move passengers and luggage to final destination.
- Continued facilitation of access to all persons doing passenger pickups with valid QR codes to the designated passenger Pickup/Drop Off area.
Port Entry for Passenger Pickup& Drop Off
BPI reminds all persons seeking to enter the Port for cruise passenger pickup or drop off that applications for Port entry must be completed and submitted through the online portal at https://barbadosport.com/request-entry/. This is mandatory and in keeping with our own obligatory security and safety protocols as a border agency.
Applications for entry must be approved prior to coming to the Port and will be confirmed through the issuance of a QR Code via return email.
The QR Code must be presented to Security on arrival in order to gain access. Entrants will then be directed to the designated Pick-up and Drop Off area by Security personnel. No extended waiting/parking is allowed in Port, given space limitations. Passengers disembarking and requiring taxi services, are encouraged to utilize the registered seaport taxis available on site.
Traffic Advisory
All visitors are further advised that the Port is very active on homeporting days, with hundreds of people moving in and out in just a few hours. Movements include disembarking and embarking guests, crew members, port staff, local regulatory authorities, port tenants and service companies, which may at times result in increased wait times at the Gate. BPI therefore encourages members of the public to comply with entry protocols, which are also intended to minimize traffic delays at the Gates.
If you are starting or ending a cruise at the Port of Bridgetown booked outside of scheduled charter and agency packages and using private transportation, please take note of the following information.
Applications for Port entry must be completed and submitted through the online portal at https://barbadosport.com/request-entry/ by all persons seeking to enter for cruise passenger pickup or drop off.
Applications for entry must be approved prior to coming to the Port and will be confirmed through the issuance of a QR Code via return email.
The QR Code must be presented to Security on arrival in order to gain access.
Entrants will then be directed to Designated Pick-up and Drop Off areas by Security personnel.
No extended waiting is allowed in Port, given space limitations.
For passengers disembarking and requiring taxi services, you are encouraged to utilize the registered seaport taxis available on site.
Please click here for guidelines on completing your application for Port Entry.
Barbados Port Inc. is moving to mitigate against the negative impacts of aged cargo remaining in Port through the sale of unclaimed items by auction.
Chief Executive Officer, Mr. David Jean-Marie, explained “Cargo remaining in Port for extended periods contributes to congestion and limits the physical space available for new, incoming cargo. From a health and safety perspective, aged cargo attracts vermin. Health authorities are constantly reviewing and providing direction on the need to manage potential infestation and its resultant negative impacts on other cargo in Port, as well as the health and safety of personnel.”
Though aged cargo is classified as that remaining in Port for more than 30 days, the cargo being offered for sale by auction is that which remains unclaimed, having arrived at the Port of Bridgetown between the period February 2015 to December 2021. Some 97% of the cargo listed is categorized as commercial cargo and just 3% personal effects cargo.
The CEO stressed that “the sale of goods by auction is an action of last resort.”
Consignees are given ample opportunity to clear and remove cargo from the Port, with the first contact initiated with those whose cargo remains three months after it has landed. Subsequent communications are aimed at encouraging consignees to collect their cargo, all of which is stored in secured areas under surveillance.
The aged cargo list is reviewed by the Customs and Excise Department to ensure they have no direct legitimate interest in the goods prior to their being listed for sale. And prior to publication of the list, formal notification is issued to the consignee via registered mail, allowing the consignee the option of clearing and collecting their assigned cargo within 14 days from the date on the written notice.
Importers and consignees are reminded that they have a responsibility to submit appropriate documentation, obtain the delivery order from the agent or from the freight forwarder, obtain release documents from Customs and other regulatory agencies, settle their financial obligations to the Port and take delivery of the cargo. This process is conveniently facilitated electronically.
Customers are encouraged to contact the Port on how to get their cargo cleared if they are experiencing challenges.
The sale of unclaimed, aged cargo will continue at a new date to be announced.
BPI extends apologies to those patrons who experienced some challenges during the October 26, 2022 sale and has reviewed its processes for future auctions to eliminate a recurrence.
Barbados Port Inc. (BPI), the newest member of the International Port Community Systems Association (IPCSA), is looking forward to deepening relations with IPCSA while it continues to change the dynamics of logistics at the Port of Bridgetown with the introduction of its own Port Community System.
In the early stages of its PCS research, BPI identified IPCSA as a reference point for the project, and the association has proved to be a great resource from concept, through project implementation.
“Formalisation of the relationship with IPCSA is aligned with our broader vision for international trade and a part of our strategic approach to digitisation and the build-out of a more inclusive and integrated logistics platform,” said BPI CEO David Jean-Marie.
“As we embark on this new course, being able to share best practices and learning from other likeminded, future-thinking organisations is key to our continued growth,” he added.
The €540,258 Barbados PCS project, part-financed by the European Union and supervised by the Caribbean Development Bank, will introduce a paperless system for processing shipments at Bridgetown. The PCS is due to be operational in 2023.
IPCSA General Secretary Richard Morton said: “We were pleased to be able to support BPI in its important work to develop and implement a Port Community System and delighted by the team’s decision to join IPCSA as a full member. We look forward to sharing experience and knowledge from both sides.”
The new PCS, according to BPI Digital Innovation and Development Manager, Rommel Edwards, will allow for easy and efficient electronic data interchange among state agencies and clients of the port, and the electronic handling of all information regarding clearance of containerised, general and bulk cargo. It will also provide real-time access to information for control, tracking and tracing through the logistics chain, allow for improved administration, recording, monitoring, reporting and analysis of data using the platform, and enable improved documentation through simplification, standardisation, rationalisation and harmonisation of clearance processes and procedures.
Coupled with a Maritime Single Window, also under development, these elements are critical to the port’s digital transformation is support of enhanced efficiency, performance and productivity, he explained.
Richard Morton said: “IPCSA continues to expand its membership, in numbers and in geographical range. Having celebrated our tenth anniversary last year, we are progressing with a series of important projects, including our Network of Trusted Networks (NoTN), a unique, secure port-to-port and cross-border data exchange solution for supply chains.”
About IPCSA
IPCSA is an international association of Sea and Air Port Community System operators, sea and air port authorities and Single Window operators that is recognised across the globe for providing advice and guidance on the electronic exchange of information across borders and throughout the whole supply chain.
The association has members from across the globe who handle the exchange of information for Business to Business, Government to Business and Government to Government processes and facilitate the smooth cross-border movement of goods. This equates to the electronic exchange of information relating to more than 500 million TEU movements and 10 billion tonnes of cargo for air, sea and land transport – estimated to be in excess of 50 billion million exchanges every year.
IPCSA focuses on supporting and facilitating systems and innovations for Port Community System members and users, and promoting the use of international data standards in sea and air ports, at border crossings and via Single Window systems around the world. IPCSA is a recognised NGO with consultative status at UNECOSOC and IMO.
The PROTECT Group develops and supports the electronic reporting required by authorities for vessels entering or leaving a port or port area. It maintains and develops EDI through the PROTECT Guide. PROTECT is now fully integrated into IPCSA.
Contacts:
Hans Rook – Chairman, IPCSA hr.chairman@ipcsa.international
Inga Morton – Administration and Policy, IPCSA inga.morton@ipcsa.international
Mees van der Wiel – PROTECT Secretariat, IPCSA m.vander.wiel@ipcsa.international
IPCSA – www.ipcsa.international
Network of Trusted Networks – https://notn.ipcsa.international
About Barbados Port Inc.
The Port of Bridgetown is an award-winning, full service, international trade seaport located in Barbados and managed by Barbados Port Inc. We are by comparison a small port, but more important than our size is the diversity of our portfolio. All major cruise lines have chosen the Port of Bridgetown as a port of call and from among them, an impressive listing have chosen us for homeporting operations.
Our marine terminal handles all major categories of cargo including:
- Containers (incl. imports and exports of food and beverage products, consumer goods such as furniture, appliances, etc.)
- Liquid bulk (incl. petroleum, molasses, etc.)
- Dry bulk (incl., grain, cement, gravel etc.)
- Break-bulk (incl. agricultural produce, and other goods intended for the manufacturing, processing and distribution sectors)
- Automobiles
The Port of Bridgetown is the major point of entry for approximately 90% of the goods used in the manufacturing and retail sectors in Barbados, and is dedicated to supporting businesses in the export trade. We handle approx. 1.3 tonnes of cargo per annum, comprising mainly 100,000 TEUs. State-of-the-art cargo handling facilities and technologies support the following services:
- Receipt and delivery of cargo, utilising a variety of cargo handling equipment
- Storage of cargo awaiting delivery or shipment, in covered warehouses or open storage
- Storage of refrigerated and frozen cargo
- Unstuffing / stuffing containers
- Sorting of cargo according to special requirements of consignee
- Rental of cargo handling operations equipment
- Priority access to block-stacked empty containers as requested by ship agents
Through our network of freight services, customers can ship goods around the world efficiently and seamlessly. In addition to direct services, our carrier partners offer transhipment to most major ports around the globe.
Recognized as one of the best run ports in the Caribbean, efforts are being concentrated on berth expansion, infrastructural improvements and green technologies to support continued growth of our two core business lines, cargo and cruise.
Environmental stewardship is integral to our future development activities and ongoing Port operations. We therefore intend to grow responsibly, to ensure the continued preservation of our heritage landmarks, blue and green spaces.
VISION
To be the most innovative green maritime hub in the world by 2030.
MISSION
To be the most customer focused, cost effective and highly efficient provider of value driven cruise, cargo services and related property development services while providing satisfactory benefits to stakeholders, including customers and employees.
CONTACT US
Mailing Address: Cube Blue, Prescod Boulevard, Bridgetown, St. Michael, BB 11142
Telephone: (246) 434-6100
Email: info@barbadosport.com
Website: www.barbadosport.com
An application has been submitted to the Planning and Development Department to erect a new Bulk Storage and Handling Facility at the Mighty Grynner Highway, St. Michael:
The Facility will support the import, export and storage of bulk commodities including but not limited to grains, feeds, oils, gases, lumber, steel and construction aggregates, through the Port of Bridgetown. It is a critical national priority as local sand quarries have reached their limit. It is envisaged that this facility would comprise the following:
- 660m of new deep water berth (12.5m draught);
- Protection of inner harbour from large waves especially from the north;
- Creation of 4.5 hectares of new bulk storage area to be subdivided to meet the needs of its tenants;
- Creation of 2.9 hectares of parking (280 cars) and public lands inclusive of 1.8 hectares of enhanced beachfront;
- Mitigation of traffic congestion by installation of a strategically placed round-a-bout and pedestrian overpass
The application file can be viewed online at the Department’s website at www.townplanning.gov.bb or at the Department in the Warrens Office Complex, Warrens, St. Michael. Any person wishing to object to the application should do so no less than 14 clear days after the date on which the information is first published on the website. This information should be submitted to the Planning Department by email patrick.bryan@planning.gov.bb or letter addressed to the Director, Planning and Development Department. All objections must include specific grounds of objection, the application number, the name, address and email of the person objecting and signed by the person making the objection.
Along with our agent, C.O. Williams Construction Ltd., Barbados Port Inc. remains available to share any further information required.
Kindly contact Managing Director, Mr. David Jean-Marie at djeanmarie@barbadosport.com, copied to Mr. Kenneth Atherley, Advisor, Projects & Port Operations at katherley@barbadosport.com or 230-6185 to address any project related queries and concerns.
Further details on the proposed project will be shared at a public meeting, the date and time to be announced.
Barbados Port Inc.
Application Number: 0304/03/2022A
The Port of Bridgetown will be open to business for the clearing of personal effects at shed 2 as follows:
| DATE | OPENING HOURS |
| Thursday November 25 | 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. |
| Friday November 26 | 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. |
| Saturday November 27 | 7.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. |
| Thursday December 02 | 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. |
| Friday December 03 | 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. |
| Saturday December 04 | 7.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. |
| Thursday December 09 | 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. |
| Friday December 10 | 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. |
| Saturday December 11 | 7.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. |
| Thursday December 16 | 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. |
| Friday December 17 | 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. |
| Saturday December 18 | 7.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. |
| Thursday December 23 | 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. |
| Friday December 24 | 7:00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. |
Barbados Port Inc. encourages all importers to take advantage of these extended hours.
The Home Delivery Service implemented at the Port of Bridgetown, is an all-inclusive service eliminating or significantly reducing the need for importers/consignees to spend time in Port.
Consignees with shipments at the Port are required to utilize the service, selecting either an Authorized Consolidator/ Freight forwarder OR an Authorized Trucker to clear any goods imported. These authorized clearing agents can manage all Customs and Port formalities, including payment of duties and charges and clearance of shipments.
Unless requested to be present at a Customs inspection, consignees will not be allowed to enter the Port.
The service will continue until further notice.
For details on the Home Delivery Services, please click here.
As part of the national COVID-19 response, an appointment system has been implemented at the Port of Bridgetown effective Tuesday, April 14, 2020, to ensure cargo identified as essential, is unstuffed and delivered to consignees and that exports are facilitated in an efficient and timely manner.
This new protocol is a collaborative initiative of Barbados Port Inc., the Customs & Excise Department, the Ministry of Health and Wellness’ Port Health Unit, the Ministry of Agriculture’s Plant Quarantine and Veterinary Services Units, and the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce.
Please click here for details on the appointment system (pdf).
As a critical link in the supply chain, Barbados Port Inc continues to facilitate the entry of goods into the island.
Our nation is depending on us to ensure food, medical, household and other critical supplies necessary to fight COVID-19 that are arriving by sea, make their way through the chain to meet our collective needs.
To reduce the risks to our employees, customers and others interacting with the port however, the following measures have been enacted to facilitate business while limiting personal contact:
- For payments made in person to cashiers at the Administration Building, transactions will be limited to four persons at a time. Separate waiting areas have been designated. We do apologise if your wait is a little longer as a result of this change.
- Customers are encouraged to use electronic payment options available.
- I. Pre-payment accounts
- II. Direct deposits
To set up a pre-payment account:
- Send your request to Management Accountant, Ms. Keyshia Barrow via email at kbarrow@barbadosport.com, copied to accountsreceivable@barbadosport.com.
- An initial deposit amount will be agreed.
- On payment of the deposit, BPI will confirm receipt and set up your account.
- At set-up, you will be advised of your top-up requirements.
- Transactions will be processed only if funds are on the account.
For direct deposits:
Send requests for instructions to Management Accountant, Ms. Keyshia Barrow via email at kbarrow@barbadosport.com, copied to accountsreceivable@barbadosport.com.
If you or anyone in your immediate household have travelled within the last 14 days, or you are exhibiting any of the following symptoms: fever, coughing, shortness of breath, please do not come to the Port of Bridgetown.
You are reminded to follow the recommended protocols for personal hygiene and social distancing as advised by the Ministry of Health and Wellness.
In order to protect both customers and staff against the risk and exposure to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), Barbados Port Inc. (BPI) has instituted a number of in-house measures, including:
- Enhanced sanitization of public and work spaces before work on a daily basis and at regular intervals during the day.
- Continuous sensitization of staff at all levels.
- Mandatory requirements that vessels calling at the Port outline their COVID-19 protocols including the following:
- A daily email from all ships stating the health of the crewmembers onboard.
- Establishment of a “hand washing station” at the gangway of all ships. ALL persons will use hand sanitizer and or wash hands frequently.
- Before and after each port call, cleaning of the public areas with a water & bleach solution will be performed. The goal is to keep the ship sanitized for everyone and to reduce exposure by local staff while working cargo vessels.
- Measures to minimize entry and movement through the Port of non-essential personnel.
- Suspension of all public tours of the port until further notice.
Agents and stevedores are advised that effective immediately and until further notice, the daily briefing meeting will be conducted as needed and/or via a video conference as required. In addition, any other requisite information will be shared via email.
Customers are reminded that the Port utilizes electronic systems for manifest transmission, terminal operation and management. These measures will continue to facilitate business while minimizing personal contact.
Customers collecting personal effects are advised to utilize the online systems to track cargo, update security credentials to facilitate access and come to the Port only when cargo has been confirmed as ready for collection. Customers transiting the public spaces are also reminded to make use of the hand sanitizer units installed across the Port.
The Public and Staff are reminded that they should follow the recommended protocols for personal hygiene and social distancing as advised by the Ministry of Health and Wellness.
BPI will continue to work with officials to follow public health recommendations and will share updates, guidance and information on any further actions to be taken.
The Board of Directors and management assures you of our commitment to maintaining a safe and healthy work environment in the interest of all Barbadians.
