Faster cargo clearance as Pas Cargo Guyana opens new facility with 1st off-site GRA customs hub

PAS Cargo Guyana Inc., which has been operating in Guyana since 2012, has opened a new off-port bonded facility at Rome on the Heroes Highway, featuring the country’s first off-site commercial Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) customs hub, a major advancement in cargo processing that enables turnaround times as low as 30 minutes.

Officials have described the investment as a major step in Guyana’s journey toward becoming a regional transport and logistics hub.

In its early years of operation in the country, the company, like many others, operated out of transit sheds along the river. Later, the firm secured its own bonded space at the Guyana National Shipping Corporation Limited (GNSC) terminal.

However, according to Vice President of Pas Cargo USA, Shridath Naraine, their customers continued to face challenges, congestion, environmental exposure, and operational inefficiencies.

“It became clear that the future required something better. We needed a facility away from the river ports – one that truly reflected our commitment to delivering superior service. We envisioned an off-port bonded facility designed to offer dock, high accessibility, efficiency, security, and the ability to handle cargo in a controlled, weather-protected environment. When development began along Heroes Highway, with direct access and strong connectivity, we recognised the opportunity immediately and secured space at Rome corridor.  Today, we are proud to unveil a facility that sets a new standard in cargo logistics in Guyana,” Naraine said during the official launching ceremony on Wednesday at the Marriott Hotel.

He explained that this new facility is positioned to serve core commercial, industrial, and oil and gas sectors.

“Built around a One-Stop Shop concept, we allow customers to move seamlessly from documentation, to customs clearance, to cargo collection, all in one location. The result is simple: faster turnaround, reduced costs, and a significantly improved customer experience.  This is more than an upgrade; this is a game changer for our industry,” Naraine remarked.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, President of the Customs Brokers Association, Colin Moore, said the facility is expected to address “one of the biggest nightmares” in shipping and logistics.

“Especially in Guyana, we have a situation where there is a lot of congestion, and this is because we are a small country and we are now development…so this facility that Pas Cargo has put together is a very, very welcomed initiative…there’s nothing more pleasing to us than to get in and out of a facility within thirty minutes and that’s the promise that Pas Cargo has given us,” Moore said.

“The bond is very well laid out…very quickly you can find the cargo and get it out,” he added.

Parliamentary Secretary within the Ministry of Public Utilities and Aviation, Thandi McAllister, described the investment as a remarkable milestone in Guyana’s shipping and logistics sector.

“This is a testament to the ongoing work of both the public and private sectors to strengthen our shipping and aviation infrastructure, improve regulatory frameworks and create an enabling environment for investment…as the government continues to invest in our ports, airports and road networks, partnerships with companies like Pas Cargo is essential to ensuring that these investments translate into real benefits for our economy and our people. This facility stands as a landmark achievement in national trade development, as the first commercial offsite customs facility, approved by the GRA, it represents a pivotal shift in how supply chains and logistics operations will function in our country,” McAllister explained.

She added that the launch of this facility is much more than the opening of a new office, but the “beginning of a new chapter in Guyana’s journey toward becoming a regional trade and investment hub”.

Meanwhile, also speaking at the launching ceremony, President of the Shipping Association of Guyana, Komal Singh, underscored the need for more companies to operate in line with international standards.

“As Guyana transforms into a position where we’re setting our stage to become a regional logistics hub, because of the immense amount of manufacturing that will be taking place here in the years to come, we need to start preparing ourselves to meet international standards…and I think Pas Cargo today is leading the way to making sure that Guyanese and all our business partners in logistics and supply chain understand the importance of investing in the economy,” Singh remarked.

To complement the launch of the new facility, the company will soon be launching a MyPAS mobile App, which will further enhance cargo tracking and customer experience.

Pas Cargo, headquartered in Miami, Florida, was founded by three Guyanese shareholders, and is today known as a leading freight and logistics provider, holding a premier position in the market, with a strong reputation in LCL shipping and commercial cargo consolidation.

It offers weekly air and ocean cargo services from the USA, Panama and Trinidad, and also manages global shipments through its membership in leading freight forwarding networks covering more than 190 countries.

Combined with in-house brokerage and delivery logistics, Pas Cargo provides complete imports and exports solutions, offering end-to-end logistics for its customers.