Tonight there is increasing frustration with the Port of Belize - because scores - maybe hundreds of containers from one shipping agent have piled up and they aren't being released until the shipper pays their bill. The importer is CMA-CGM - which is an international shipping line. A ship named the Iremos came into the Port on Tuesday August 5th and unloaded - reportedly as many as 200 containers. The importers dutifully paid all their fees and costs to the agent but could not get their containers released. The concern now is that more costs will be added by way of excess storage that will be levied by the Port of Belize.
One freight company posted that their containers have been stuck since Friday July 28th. They say, quote, "The lack of concern and lack of urgency is extremely unprofessional and stifling on every level. If those in charge are unaware, school resumes soon. These supplies are needed countrywide."
Another importer who's moving back to Belize form Canada shared with us via email what she told the shipper, quote, "You don't care about your customers. Our Belize Custom Broker promptly paid all of our fees. The topic of demurrage fees has now come up. WHO IS PAYING?"
We did reach out to the Port CEO Arturo Vasquez - but at news time - he had not responded.
