Dock charges will be enforced

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24: Companies who leave their goods on the docks for more than five working days will be hit with a charge.

Stevedoring Services has written to importers and exporters explaining the ‘free time policy’ has been invoked to reduce port congestion.

Peter Aldrich, general manager of Stevedoring Services, told the Bermuda Sun: “An important thing to stress is that this is not a new charge.

“Previously, when the docks were owned by the Corporation they levied a similar charge.

“Since the Municipalities Act came into force in 2010 the charge has not been enforced and that has caused us problems with regards containers and trailers being left on the docks for weeks and taking up a considerable amount of space.

“We have lost an acre of space due to the X-ray project so it is even more important than before that the docks do not become congested.

“The docks were designed for cargo to pass through them not for the cargo to stay there for long periods of time.”

The Free Time Policy will come into effect on September 10, 2012.

Importers and exporters received a letter outlining the policy and its conditions on Monday.

The letter states: “Cargo not collected within the allotted time will be subjected to a TEU Yard Move Fee (or portion/multiple thereof) to reflect the re-handling of cargo.”

The charges will range in cost depending on the size of the item and the length of time the goods have to be stored.

The cost is likely to start at a minimum of $50 and spiral into hundreds of dollars the longer the charge is not paid for or the goods are not collected.