The Kingston Freeport Terminal Limited (KFTL) is urging importers to immediately take delivery of their containers which have been on the port for extended periods of time.

There are currently 1,250 containers (2000 TEUs) waiting to be collected, with 31% having been on the terminal for up to a week, 38% for up to 14 days, and the remaining 31% for more than two weeks and up to three months. This has resulted in reduced efficiency of the loading equipment due to rehandling and increased waiting time for trucks taking delivery.

The Jamaica Customs Agency has also advised that a number of these containers have already been duty paid and custom cleared and are only awaiting collection. As such, KFTL is asking the relevant companies to contact its Gate Operations unit in the soonest possible time to make arrangements for collection.

KFTL also wishes to remind importers/exporters to schedule and honour appointments made for delivery, as over the past 3-4 weeks, there has been a decrease in the number of appointments made and honoured. Currently, there is an average of 30% of units shifted per day which are not being collected and are accumulating in the domestic area, which has also impeded service delivery.

KFTL remains committed to ensuring that its volumes and productivity levels continue to improve and seeks the continued cooperation of all relevant stakeholders in facilitating this.