Jamaica’s shipping sector stretched as uncollected cargo deepens backlog

Weeks after the holiday rush ended, goods remain stuck at Jamaica’s ports and warehouses, driving delays and rising costs across the economy. Congestion during the final weeks of the year is not unusual, as tourism peaks, the diaspora returns home, and imports surge to meet seasonal demand. Historically, these pressures ease by mid-January. This year, they have not.

Instead, cargo continues to arrive faster than it can be processed, leaving terminals and warehouses operating well beyond sustainable levels. What began as a seasonal challenge has evolved into a growing constraint on businesses, consumers, and key sectors of the economy.

According to Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ) President Corah Ann Robertson-Sylvester, the situation has now reached a point where public action is critical. “Cargo that has already been stripped from containers must be collected so that additional cargo can be processed,” she said. “The longer cleared goods remain in warehouses, the more capacity is tied up, and the backlog continues to grow.”

The situation was significantly compounded in October when Hurricane Melissa disrupted operations across western Jamaica. Damaged roads, compromised facilities, and workforce disruptions prevented many businesses from collecting cargo that had already landed at ports. Even after reopening, some operators found their customers financially affected by the hurricane, limiting their ability to clear goods promptly. As a result, cargo remained in warehouses far longer than normal, tightening capacity across the system.

At the same time, the humanitarian response was swift. Large volumes of relief supplies arrived from the diaspora and international donors, coinciding with peak holiday imports. While the support was widely welcomed, the timing created an unprecedented spike in cargo volumes. When operations in Montego Bay were affected, shippers diverted goods to Kingston as a contingency measure. That decision, though necessary, resulted in Kingston receiving volumes well beyond its normal capacity, creating congestion that has yet to clear fully.

LONGER-TERM OPPORTUNITIES

As containers sit idle, costs rise. Each day cargo remains at terminals and warehouses, demurrage and storage charges accumulate, placing increasing strain on importers. These costs extend beyond the shipping sector. Jamaica’s tourism industry, which depends heavily on imported goods to stock hotels, restaurants, and attractions, has also been affected. Prolonged congestion, industry representatives warn, will ultimately push up the cost of goods for consumers.

Operational challenges have been compounded by communication gaps. Despite terminals remaining operational, misinformation around closures, waivers, and clearance timelines has delayed action in some cases. Expired Unaccompanied Baggage Allowance (UBA), historically known as “yellow form,” documents have also contributed to delays, particularly for personal and relief shipments. While brokers, family members, and registered charitable organizations can clear goods on behalf of importers, amendment fees add to the cost burden. Industry stakeholders have suggested extending the validity of affected UBAs and temporarily waiving amendment fees in backlog-related cases to help unlock stalled cargo.

Across the sector, efforts to resolve the situation are ongoing. Kingston Wharves and Kingston Freeport Terminal Limited have extended operating hours, and frontline teams continue to work overtime. Summarizing the industry’s position, Neil Smith, CEO of Adolph Levy & Brothers Ltd., noted that shipping and logistics stakeholders remain committed to sustained, coordinated efforts, including overtime, to move goods and relief supplies until clearance levels stabilize.

Looking ahead, the experience has highlighted longer-term opportunities. With stronger coordination, improved digital tools, and more flexible policies, Jamaica could manage disaster-response cargo more effectively, establish regional best practices, and position itself as a consolidation hub for relief shipments destined for neighbouring Caribbean states.

The message from the sector is clear: this is no longer a temporary inconvenience. It is a serious and growing challenge. Addressing it now—by ensuring stripped cargo is collected promptly—is essential to restoring flow, stabilizing operations, and preventing deeper disruptions in the months ahead.