Ash causes delay as Bridgetown port reopens

Operations at the Bridgetown Port were back on track Monday but it was not all smooth sailing.

Some clients anxious to collect their packages from Shed 2 where personal effects are collected and Shed 4 for commercial cargo had to wait longer than expected to make their collections.

The Barbados Port Inc said in a statement that the late start resulted from “the volcanic ash intrusion at Sheds 2 and 4, following extensive cleaning undertaken up to and including Sunday night. The structures are naturally ventilated by openings around the rooftop and sliding doorways, through which the ash infiltrated overnight. Cleaning, therefore, had to be done again this morning”.

The process started at approximately 9:30 a.m and personal effects cargo which did not require Customs inspection and pre-stacked commercial cargo were delivered, the port said.  Cargo designated for export containers was also received, it added.

Port officials said the clean-up of roadways and operational areas continues while some means of sealing the openings against ash intrusion are being explored.
(BT/PR)