In a significant development for Guyana’s trade infrastructure, Florida-based PAS Cargo USA has inaugurated groundbreaking logistics and customs facilities at its East Bank Demerara location, promising to transform the nation’s cargo clearance processes. Sector leaders unanimously hailed the March 25, 2026 opening as a solution to longstanding congestion issues that have plagued Guyana’s supply chain operations.
Colin Moore, President of the Guyana Customs House Brokers and Clerks Association, characterized the new facility as addressing “one of the biggest nightmares” in cargo clearance. “Especially in Guyana, we have a system here where there is a lot of congestion and this because we’re a small country, we are now developing,” Moore stated during the official launch at Georgetown Marriott Hotel. He emphasized that brokers typically achieve satisfaction when processing cargo within 30 minutes—a benchmark PAS Cargo has consistently met.
The facility represents Guyana’s first approved offsite commercial customs facility by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), featuring state-of-the-art racking systems that enable rapid cargo location and retrieval, contrasting sharply with previous one-week waiting periods. Moore particularly praised the adequate accommodations provided for customs officers, addressing a critical operational concern.
Komal Singh, Chairman of the Shipping Association of Guyana (SAG), highlighted the facility’s role in addressing storage space shortages on wharves while preparing the nation for future manufacturing expansion. “We cannot wait until the time when we have excess and massive amounts of exports in place and start working then to increase our efficiency,” Singh cautioned, emphasizing the need for proactive infrastructure development to meet international standards.
Shridat Naraine, Vice President of PAS Cargo USA, described the “first-of-a-kind” secure off-port bond facility as offering spacious vehicle maneuverability and comprehensive parking solutions. The facility addresses environmental concerns and operational inefficiencies previously experienced at Demerara River port locations, positioning the company to serve industrial, commercial, and oil gas sectors with enhanced capability. “This is a statement that Guyana deserves world-class infrastructure; a statement that local talent, innovation and vision can compete at the highest level,” Naraine asserted.
The technological integration allows customers to seamlessly navigate documentation, customs clearance, and cargo collection within a single location, significantly streamlining supply chain operations.
Thandi McAllister, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Public Utilities and Aviation and Guyana’s representative to the International Maritime Organisation, framed the development within broader international trade conventions. She noted that states are bound by international agreements to simplify administrative formalities in international trade, describing the facility as exemplifying “powerful synergies” between public policy and private sector innovation. McAllister hailed the project as a “landmark achievement” in national trade development that would generate increased job opportunities while addressing inconsistent and excessive port clearance processes that have historically frustrated users and hindered efficiency.