PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC—The Caribbean’s personal sector is celebrating a significant commerce victory following the US Commerce Consultant (USTR) ‘s choice to exempt regional transport from hefty port charges beforehand proposed on China-built vessels.
Chairman of the CARICOM Non-public Sector Organisation, Gervase Warner.
The ruling removes a menace that may have severely disrupted commerce between the Caribbean and the US.
The CARICOM Non-public Sector Organisation (CPSO), which led the cost on behalf of the regional personal sector, mentioned the exemption would defend Caribbean economies from important inflationary pressures, provide chain disruptions, and transport delays that may have resulted from the proposed penalties.
“The CPSO appreciates the USTR Willpower and acknowledges that this tremendously useful consequence is the product of management and collaboration amongst a number of key personal sector stakeholders and the governments of the CARICOM states,” mentioned CPSO Chairman Gervase Warner in an announcement on Saturday.
Below the unique proposal, port charges exceeding US$1 million per name have been to be imposed on China-built ships docking at US ports. The CPSO warned this could have had crippling penalties for Caribbean commerce and entry to items. The USTR’s closing dedication exempts short-sea transport between the Caribbean and the US from these prices.
The CPSO had advocated for a number of key exemptions, most of which have been mirrored within the USDA’s dedication:
- Quick-sea transport exemption: The USTR authorized exemption for vessels working inside 2,000 nautical miles of the Caribbean-U.S. route (CPSO requested 2,750 nmi).
- Measurement-based exemption: The USTR exempted vessels underneath 55,000 deadweight tons and 4,000 TEUs (CPSO requested underneath 4,999 TEUs).
- Specialised cargo exemption: The USTR agreed to exempt vessels carrying power and chemical merchandise as much as 80,000 deadweight tons and special-purpose tankers.
Warner credited the end result to a coordinated effort by personal and public stakeholders throughout CARICOM, highlighting the position of Barbados’ Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, who chairs the CARICOM Heads of Authorities. Warner famous that the Heads of Authorities performed a vital position by direct advocacy, together with engagements with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and written appeals to President Donald Trump.
The CPSO Secretariat, led by economist Dr Patrick Antoine, was additionally instrumental. Warner praised Antoine and his crew for his or her technical management, complete submissions, and oral testimony that influenced the USTR’s ruling. The CPSO’s first coordination name on March 18, 2025, drew over 700 members from varied industries and international locations, underscoring widespread regional concern.
Warner additionally acknowledged useful partnerships with Tropical Delivery, notably CEO Tim Martin and CPSO-USBC Director Jennifer Nugent-Hill, in addition to with key trade organizations such because the Caribbean Resort and Tourism Affiliation (CHTA), Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO), Seaboard Marine, Atlantic Council, Caribbean Delivery Affiliation (CSA), and the Port Administration Affiliation of the Caribbean (PMAC).
Particular point out was manufactured from Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett of the US Virgin Islands, whose strategic intervention throughout a US Methods and Means Committee listening to helped spotlight the Caribbean’s place. CPSO additionally thanked CARICOM ambassadors accredited to the US for his or her unified help.
Warner additionally praised the openness of the USTR and its panel, which included officers from varied US authorities departments, for his or her willingness to think about the distinctive wants of the Caribbean.
