The Shipping Association of Guyana (SAG) has publicly refuted allegations from the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) regarding unmet meeting requests, while simultaneously revealing that maritime operators are absorbing significant operational cost increases without passing them to importers.
SAG President Komal Singh addressed the situation Sunday, explaining that shipping lines and wharf operators face mounting challenges with substantial financial implications. These include port congestion causing cargo offloading delays and extended processing times for US dollar wire transfers from local agents.
‘All additional costs incurred cannot be passed to anyone since they already collect freight from customers,’ Singh told Demerara Waves Online News, noting that shipping companies bear these growing financial burdens independently.
The association characterized GCCI’s claims of ignored meeting requests as ‘reckless and ill-informed.’ Official correspondence reveals that SAG responded to GCCI’s November 26, 2025 letter proposing two December meeting dates and expressing willingness to accommodate alternative dates. According to SAG, no response was ever received from the chamber.
Despite these tensions, SAG highlighted successful collaboration with Trinidad and Tobago authorities to reduce shipping delays at Port of Spain, where vessels now experience improved loading slot availability.
The association reaffirmed its commitment to dialogue, announcing plans to extend another formal meeting invitation to GCCI in hopes of fostering constructive engagement rather than public disputes.