Waiver of Port charges and affiliated charges relating to the importation of goods


Release date: 3/30/2020

The Ministry of Works and Transport wishes to advise all concerned that in light of the COVID-19 global pandemic which is currently impacting the international shipping industry and the restrictions imposed on the importation of non-essential goods in Trinidad and Tobago, a policy was adopted whereby the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (PATT) and Point Lisas Port Development Corporation (PLIPDECO) will waive certain port charges as it relates to storage of goods at the Port of Spain, Scarborough and Point Lisas Ports in order to ease the burden being faced by importers of goods into Trinidad and Tobago.

In light of this and given the impact of the PUBLIC HEALTH (2019 NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (2019-nCoV) (NO. 5) Regulations, 2020, now in-force, the Ministry appeals to all Shipping Companies and other affiliated companies involved in the shipping industry, to follow such policy by waiving all demurrage and other associated charges relating to the carriage of goods by sea and air since such charges may be in conflict with policies that were recently announced and published by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago in response to the global pandemic brought about by COVID-19.

The Ministry of Works and Transport looks forward to your usual support as we collectively face the challenges of the COVID-19 global pandemic head-on.

***