Importers are experiencing the problem of their containers being breached and resealed, particularly in Trinidad and Tobago, before being shipped to Guyana.
Managing Director of Desinco Trading Ltd, Frank De Abreu, informed the recently concluded Caribbean Shipping Association (CSA) conference held in Guyana last week of the development.
And only as recently as Friday another large importer of goods suffered the same experience with a shipment out of Trinidad and Tobago.
De Abreu told Stabroek News on Saturday that lots of money was lost by the importer this way.
He explained that the insurance companies were not approving loss claims because there was no evidence of the seal being tampered with.
"Somebody is removing the seals from the containers and replaces them with identical ones after taking out goods," he said.
He pointed out that the perpetrators also had the opportunity to put goods into the containers.
The businessman stated that shippers needed to contract credible truckers so as to safeguard the shipments going to the importers.
Desinco sources its supplies from all over the world including the United States, Chile, Jamaica, Sri Lanka, Canada and Venezuela but De Abreu said the tampering of containers occurs mainly in Trinidad and Tobago and began about eights months ago.
"Insurance companies are hesitant to pay the costs on the grounds that it has to be a short-shipment and not theft," he stated.
De Abreu said it was discovered that about 60% of the milk powder in one shipment was stolen recently and the product was found in Trinidad and Tobago's supermarkets.
De Abreu said he would be taking up the matter with the Private Sector Commission (PSC) and suggested the PSC in Guyana and its counterpart in Trinidad could meet to discuss the matter. Earlier this year, it was discovered that mail for Guyana from the UK had been broached in Trinidad. The mail was found strewn near to the Piarco Airport.
De Abreu also told the CSA conference that importers were experiencing a problem of the shipping of containers with holes.
He stated that if the shippers did not carry out proper checks the containers with holes would be loaded with goods which would end up being damaged by water.
De Abreu declared that aside from the John Fernandes Ltd and Demerara Distillers Ltd wharves, the others lacked adequate facilities.
He stated that the system of receiving cargo was frustrating, with the amount of "up and down" one has to go through in the transit sheds. He pointed out that simple problems, which could be easily rectified, compounded the situation.
There were problems like faulty nippers to cut the seals on the containers, no personnel to cut the seals, the stacker operator working leisurely, etc.
He said there is always a problem in finding personnel in the transit sheds to provide service to the importers. It is either the personnel arrive late or went to lunch early, he said.
De Abreu stated the shippers here needed better trained staff who were customer-friendly.
The businessman concluded that importers are mostly happy with the service being provided to them in Guyana despite the few areas which could be improved.