Prime Minister Dr. Godwin Friday has ordered the immediate reopening of the Campden Park Container Port, citing significant readiness setbacks at the newly built Kingstown Modern Port that have slowed cargo processing ahead of the Christmas season.
The decision followed an on-site tour by Dr. Friday and several Cabinet ministers, who inspected the multimillion-dollar complex and concluded that substantial operational work remains incomplete.
“A great deal of readiness work remains to be done,” the Prime Minister acknowledged, noting that the government must ensure that households receive their holiday barrels and businesses can restock during the busiest commercial period of the year.
New Port Under Scrutiny
Commissioned in October 2025, the Kingstown Modern Port was expected to streamline national trade and consolidate cargo services. Instead, it has faced growing criticism as bottlenecks slowed the clearance of barrels and containers, leaving importers worried their Christmas shipments would not arrive on time.
The facility — designed to be climate-resilient, technologically advanced, and capable of handling higher traffic — has yet to deliver the anticipated efficiency gains. Key operational systems remain unfinished, delaying the port’s full activation.
Campden Park’s Return After a Short Closure
For decades, Campden Park served as the country’s primary cargo gateway, managing everything from barrels to bulk imports. Its closure in late October 2025 marked a symbolic shift in national infrastructure, following the previous administration’s decision to centralize operations at the new Kingstown site.
Former Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves had emphasized that Campden Park would eventually be repurposed for community or emergency-management use, aligning with a broader strategy to modernize port services and avoid duplication.
However, with the new facility struggling to meet seasonal demand, the government has opted to reactivate Campden Park temporarily to relieve pressure and restore cargo flow.
Government Priorities: Efficiency and Public Confidence
Officials say the reopening is a practical step to stabilize supply chains and rebuild public confidence in the transition to the modern port. Merchants have welcomed the move, saying any measure that prevents holiday shortages is essential at this time of year.
Dr. Friday said the government remains committed to completing the Kingstown Modern Port but will not risk economic disruption or public inconvenience while outstanding systems are finalised.
“People must get their goods, especially at Christmas. That is our priority,” he said.
