Heavy weather: Port operations hit by high waves

Heavy sea swells have forced cargo ships to remain at anchor off Bridgetown, disrupting operations at Barbados Port Inc. and delaying the discharge of goods as officials wait for safer marine conditions.

In a statement on Thursday, the port said rough sea conditions had affected operations locally and across the region.

“Cargo vessels are unable to berth at the Port of Bridgetown as a result of ongoing sea swells,” Barbados Port Inc. said.

“Swell conditions which have been ongoing since Tuesday, have impacted not only Bridgetown, but other ports across the region.”

A video circulating on social media brought the situation into the spotlight. The video showed several cargo ships anchored off the coast near the Bridgetown port. The footage appears to have been recorded from Trevor’s Way, the shoreline park along Princess Alice Highway.

The port said the conditions had already caused operational delays.

“This has caused some delay in the discharge of cargo. [Wednesday] morning, one vessel had to return to anchor as marine conditions in port proved unsafe for the continuation of work,” the statement said.

Four vessels – Tropic Express, CFS Horizon, Seaboard Ocean, and Iremos – remain waiting outside the port.

Another vessel, Orchid Ace, was scheduled to arrive Thursday night.

Barbados Port Inc. said it had scheduled two vessel operations for Thursday night but would wait for safer conditions before proceeding.