The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has raised concerns over what it describes as unfair and unconscionable practices by shipping companies operating in Guyana, warning that the situation is negatively affecting local businesses, consumers, and the country’s development pace.
In a statement, the GCCI said that over the past year it has observed and received numerous complaints from businesses about shipping practices ranging from the imposition of hiked fees and the unilateral extension of peak-period pricing to the sidelining of imports belonging to local businesses in favor of those of large foreign companies.
According to the Chamber, these practices have far-reaching consequences. “Unjustified increases in cost as well as delayed delivery of goods lead to increased cost to consumers, and negatively impact the operations of local businesses,” the statement said.
The GCCI noted that the construction sector is among the most affected, as many firms operate under strict deadlines and predetermined costs, making them particularly vulnerable to arbitrary price increases and shipping delays.
The Chamber disclosed that in late 2025 it met with the Guyana Customs House Brokers and Clerks Association following complaints raised by that body. As a result of those discussions, the GCCI sought a meeting with the Shipping Association of Guyana to address the challenges facing importers and brokers.
However, the GCCI said efforts to ease the situation have so far proven unsuccessful. The Chamber warned that what it described as “iniquitous conduct” within the shipping industry cannot be allowed to continue unchecked, given its ripple effects across the business landscape.
The GCCI is now calling on the Shipping Association of Guyana to engage with its members and take urgent steps to rectify the situation, stressing that continued inaction could further undermine local businesses and contribute to higher costs for consumers.
