A pile-up of containers on the wharf is threatening to ruin the Christmas holidays for thousands of Jamaicans.

Reports reaching The Gleaner are that, up to the start of this week, at least 50 containers were on the wharf to be unloaded.

Many of these containers are filled with barrels and other personal effects shipped mainly from the United States and England by Jamaicans trying to help families and friends here.

Director of Jamaica Freight and Shipping Company, Michael Bernard, said he had the same information but added that "more vessels have come in since then".

"Since last week, we've had a flood of boxes (containers) that are coming in from all over - wherever the diaspora is - and we have a real pile-up at the terminal," said Bernard.

Measures taken

When contacted Thursday, Commissioner of Customs, Danville Walker, revealed that several measures had been taken to speed up the process "and ensure that families are able to clear their items in time for Christmas".

Chief among the measures, he pointed out, was the training of additional staff to handle the spike in customers over the holiday season. He also said port operators would extend their work hours as the need arose.