Pres Ali calls for urgent investment to tackle high Caribbean shipping costs

…Minister signals action on demurrage fees

President Dr Irfaan Ali and Public Utilities Minister, Deodat Indar have called for urgent investment in Caribbean shipping infrastructure and stronger regional cooperation, warning that high freight costs, reliance on transshipment hubs and weak connectivity undermines the region’s competitiveness.

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Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Caribbean Shipping Association’s 56th Annual General Meeting, Conference and Exhibition at the Guyana Marriott Hotel on Monday, President Ali identified high shipping costs, inadequate regional connectivity, uneven port infrastructure, weak inter-Caribbean trade, climate-related disasters and geopolitical instability as key challenges that must be addressed through a coordinated, investment-driven approach to strengthen the region’s shipping industry.