Shipping Association President of Jamaica President, Speaks about Congestion At Ports

Shipping Association of Jamaica Press Release - January 23, 2026

Corah Ann Robertson
President of the Shipping Association of Jamaica.

Kingston, January 23:  Jamaica’s ports and cargo warehouses continue to face significant congestion, weeks after the traditional holiday rush. The Shipping Association of Jamaica and key stakeholders are urging importers and cargo owners to take immediate action by clearing goods that have already been stripped from containers, warning that uncollected cargo is worsening the backlog and slowing operations across the maritime sector. 

“The longer stripped cargo remains uncollected, the bigger the problem becomes,” said Corah Ann Robertson-Sylvester, President of the Shipping Association of Jamaica. “All institutions within the maritime sector, including government agencies, are working together to resolve this issue. Some businesses have even extended their operating hours to facilitate faster clearance, but we need cargo owners to come forward and collect their goods.” 

The backlog was compounded in October following Hurricane Melissa, which disrupted operations across western Jamaica, delaying the collection of cargo already landed at ports. The surge of relief supplies from the diaspora and international donors, combined with peak holiday imports, created an unprecedented volume of shipments. While some cargo was diverted from Montego Bay to Kingston as a contingency, terminals in the capital continue to operate at levels above their normal capacity. 

Industry stakeholders also note that expired Unaccompanied Baggage Allowance (UBA), or “yellow form,” documents have contributed to delays in clearing personal and relief shipments. Importers, family members, brokers, and registered charitable organizations are encouraged to take the necessary steps to regularize and collect these shipments to free up warehouse space and allow additional cargo to be processed. 

Beyond easing congestion, prompt clearance of cargo is critical to reducing demurrage and storage charges for businesses, maintaining supply chains for Jamaica’s tourism and retail sectors, and keeping costs from being passed on to consumers. 

Members of the public with cargo ready for collection are encouraged to contact their shipping agents, brokers, or the relevant warehouse authorities to arrange clearance as soon as possible. 

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Transport Authority Has Meeting With Transport Operators In Cardiff Hall

The Hon. Daryl Vaz

The Transport Authority had an informative meeting today, Thursday, January 22, 2026, in Cardiff Hall with the various associations in the transport sector. They got off to a late start, but a significant amount of information was shared. Minister Daryl Vaz was the main speaker. Members of the local transportation sector had some good questions for the minister and the management of the Transport Authority. Some suggestions made by representatives were impractical, and reasons were given for classifying them as such.

The perennial issue of fare increases arose again, and it is clear that the impact of Hurricane Malissa has made the fare increase a difficult pill to swallow for consumers.  The transport operators are experiencing difficult times maintaining their costs. Some operators pointed out that the bad roads were affecting their business, and they asked that the inspectors be more lenient when dealing with them.  It was pointed out that it was all about safety for commuters. The transport authority could not allow defective vehicles on the road carrying public passengers.

Minister Vaz gave the assurance that the need for the fare increase is a matter of high priority.

Operators pointed out that some hackney operators do not respect the rights of route taxis to operate on their designated routes.  With the introduction of more route taxi associations, that matter should be taken care of.

Transport operators applauded Mr. Vaz on the successful implementation of the National School Bus System.

Operators pointed out that they should be treated with respect by all. They highlighted the need for the police and also the Transport Authority to treat them with respect.  Other issues were highlighted, which I will post in future blogs.

Bark Di Trute interviewed the president of a new route taxi association, Mr. Sam Carty. Click the icon below to watch the video.

  

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Breaking News - Major Accident In Duncan’s, Trelawny

i just received a report that on the Duncan’s main road in Trelawny, one person is dead and others are in the hospital suffering from injuries.

This resulted from a nasty accident which resulted in a pile up of traffic in the area. This accident also affected the schedule of the Knutsford Express. The bus which was to leave Drax Hall to Kingston at 4:40 pm departed after 6:00 pm.

If you are in the area and you have any information, please send it by WhatsApp to 876 816-5261. I hope to get a report from the police soon.

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Fire Hazzard on Mountain View

 The trees cover the JPS lines on Tucker Avenue  off Mountain View Avenue in Kingston. This is a report from a caring taxi driver.  You could end up with a fire and there are buildings nearby.

More News About Air Force One Turning Around

Air Force One had to turn around and land, and another plane was designated as Air Force One. Reports are that there were some electrical problems with the plane. Commentators have noted that the aircraft used as Air Force One are often outdated.

This is being treated as a minor issue, but what if the aircraft was over the Atlantic Ocean on its seven-hour flight to Switzerland? That could be the end of the US President, his team, and crew members.

The US president was heading to address some world leaders in Switzerland about the US interest in taking over Greenland. This is part of the security plan that the US has, which several NATA members oppose..

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Breaking News - Air Force One

Air Force One with President Trump and his team had to return after taking off for Switzerland. It seems as if this was due to mechanical challenges. He will be taking another plane to Switzerland.

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Citizens Complain About Loud Noise But Police is Not Hearing Their Cries

Big dance at Grants Pen Road in Kingston, after 2:00 am

I have commended the Commissioner of Police and his staff for reducing murders in this country, but Mr Commissioner, there are other crimes to be dealt with. Having parties beyond a certain time at decibels that disturb the neighbourhood is one such crime.

Residents from Grants Pen in Kingston and surrounding areas say that calling 119 when those sound systems are blasting through the night is of no help. When they call 119, a patrol car passes through, and within an hour, the music is blasting in everyone's ear again.

The noise is affecting the elderly and others up to two miles away. Residents have come to the conclusion that police officers are benefiting from these dancers; therefore, they will allow them to continue. If this is so, then this is another form of corruption which the Integrity Commission will not talk about.

The areas that the noise is affecting are:

• Upper Waterloo
• Drumblair
• Acadia/Wickham Ave
• Constant Spring Rd to Merle Grove High
• Grants Pen Avenue.

The following are the possible impacts of loud noise on people:

1. Less sleeping time can lead to stress and people being moody, especially at work.
2. Less sleeping time for students will negatively impact their ability to concentrate in the classroom.
3. People's hearing can be affected due to the intolerable decibels.
4. I have no doubt that the loud noise can permanently affect the personality and hearing of young babies.
5. Depriving the elderly of sleep can result in the worsening of their mental capacity. Could this result in early dementia?

People should be able to go to their beds and wake up feeling fresh for another day's work. The behaviour of our people on the road and our children in school may have something to do with the lack of sleep resulting from these boom boxes blasting in their ears at all hours of the night.

What kind of nation are we building where young people buck the volume control of the sound system at 2:00 am, block off the streets, smoke ganja, drink energy drinks, wind up pan one anneda and have out dem lot? 

I expect the Prime Minister to make his position clear on this matter. The Commission of Police must give clear directions to its offices about dealing with this matter. The police officers at the nearby police stations must take action. Crime will rule supreme where indiscipline is the order of the day.

Noise pollution is a very serious matter that is now a national challenge. A copy of this blog will be sent to the PM, the Commissioner of Police, and the member of parliament.

More Reading

The Noise Abatement Act.

Please share this blog and ask residents to add their comments at the bottom of the blog. 

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Join the Rotary Club of St. Andrew North as we proudly honour our Vocation Awardees—outstanding leaders who exemplify excellence, integrity, and service in their professions. 

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Remember that Bark Di Trute could fail to bark one day without your support. Send your ideas, stories, and news by WhatsApp at (876) 816-5261.

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Breaking News - Killings in Harbour View!

I just got a report of what seems like a murder-suicide in Harbour View this morning. I am waiting on information from the JCF about this matter. Information obtained so far is that this resulted from a lady who is a lawyer and her husband, who is a businessman, having a dispute.

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The UHWI Needs To Go To The Operating Room To Remove The Cancer

Bark Di Trute has been barking about the University Hospital of the West Indies for a long time. Leaders need to check on matters that are posted on Bark Di Trute and sent to them.

The comments added to the blogs tell you a big story. Jamaica has fallen ill with a sickness called dungca mentality. If it continues without being dealt with dawg nyam wi supper.

The following are some of the Bark Di Trute articles published about the UWI hospitals. Take some time to read the comments. Bark Di Trute has been reporting on the challenges at the institution for a long time now.

1. Shocking Story of a Son Whose Mother Died at UWI Hospital! – 26/08/24
2. A Wife Was Traumatized - Could Not Locate Husband at UWI Hospital! – 16/05/2025
3. Breaking News? UHWI To Charge Massive Parking Fees? – 17/05/2025
4. UWI Hospital Needs Emergency Attention! – 26/05/2025
5. Signs of The Time? -12/07/2025
6. There Is A Big Story At The UHWI - Let's Hear The Full Story and Nothing Less – 19/01/2026
7. UHWI workers not being paid? -23/02/2024
8. Too Much Bandoolu Business a Gwane An Wi Blame Di Politician Dem Far it! - 15/01/2026

A board that is in charge of an institution like the UHWI should not just read reports sent to it by management. You must be in touch and be aware of what is happening on the ground. If you are too busy, then do not take up the responsibility. Now we have allowed this matter to become a political one, and this could further cloud the issues.

Bark Di Trute always welcomes your comments on the blogs.

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Join the Rotary Club of St. Andrew North as we proudly honour our Vocation Awardees—outstanding leaders who exemplify excellence, integrity, and service in their professions. 

____________________

NEEDED

• A very qualified IT expert is seeking to go on a new project. He has over twenty years of experience in the field. He has an MSc in the field.
• Do you need a decent and honest person to work three days each week in your home?
• Do you need a live-in caregiver?
• Place needed to store bookshop stocks. Stocks are being sold at a reduced rate. 

Send a WhatsApp message to (876) 816-5261 if you are interested in any of these people. 

 These persons have been endorsed by Bark Di Trute.

 

Click here to see what's happening.

_________________

Subscribe Now!

• Subscribe to my YouTube Channel.
• Subscribe to my Emergency News Advice Service.
• Make a financial donation now.

Remember that Bark Di Trute could fail to bark one day without your support. Send your ideas, stories, and news by WhatsApp at (876) 816-5261.

You can view the blog with your computer at https://vderby.blogspot.com, and you will be able to see the various links. For example, there is a link that takes you to the calendar to see what is happening on the weekend. You can even search the site for articles. There is also a weather link, which you can use to track hurricanes.

_______________________