The Shipping Association of St Lucia wishes to take this opportunity to formally respond to the viral WhatsApp voice note asserting that vessels globally have been grounded as a result of high fuel prices.
This claim is FALSE. While fuel prices have been continuously escalating, shipping lines have mechanisms to buffer this as well as the ability to adjust their freight charges accordingly. There is therefore no need for panic as the shipping lines serving St Lucia continue to do so with regularity.
We acknowledge, however, that there have been global supply chain disruptions which started as a result of COVID-19 shutdowns and have now been exacerbated by labour shortages, port congestion and insufficient empty containers on some trade lanes.
The various stakeholders within the shipping industry continue to take the requisite actions to minimize the impact to cargo interests and consumers.
