KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Kingston Freeport Terminal Limited (KFTL) is urging importers to immediately take delivery of their containers, which have been on the port for extended periods of time.

KFTL in a release today said there are currently 1,250 containers waiting to be collected, with 31 per cent having been on the terminal for up to a week, 38 per cent for up to 14 days, and the remaining 31 per cent for more than two weeks, and up to three months.

KFTL explained that the backlog has resulted in reduced efficiency of the loading equipment “due to re-handling and increased waiting time for trucks taking delivery”.

The Jamaica Customs Agency has also advised that a number of these containers have already been duty paid and custom cleared and are only awaiting collection.

As such, KFTL is asking the relevant companies to contact its gate operations unit in the soonest possible time to make arrangements for collection.

KFTL also sought to remind importers/exporters to schedule and honour appointments made for delivery, as over the past three to four weeks, there has been a decrease in the number of appointments honoured.

“Currently, there is an average of 30 per cent of units shifted per day which are not being collected and are accumulating in the domestic area, which has also impeded service delivery,” KFTL said.