Container Status
Nov 20th, 2009 by Don Ray
If you are wondering about the containers that will need assistance in unloading that have been brought to Panama by Tom McCormack, here is an email I received this morning. I will post a notice when Tom tells me that a work detail is needed to unload them.
Hi Don,
Just an update on the containers. The shipping company won’t release the containers until the government pays the fine from last year.$5040.00. Now the fine has increased $1100.00 as of today and increases $100.00 per day until the containers are picked up. After or if they are ever picked up they have 7 days to return the containers or the fine starts again @ $100.00 per day.
I estimate there is $100,000.00 in donated items in the 2 containers. I go to the governors office every day to check on the lack of progress. We just have to wait but it is very frustrating.
Tom
this is nothing new. Someone should confront the new president and see if the containers could be released without a fine.Since it is a charitable donation the customs folks might let it slide thru?
Everything here seems to be a problem, even though we have people that are putting in time and efforts to help the people of Panama with donations. Since this is the last Administration’s fault, I believe something should be done to help the indigenous of Panama.
Hi Don Ray and all,
Need some help, the fine is from the shipping company because the government of Panama held up the shipment last time? I’m not too much in the loop on all this so I’m just wanting to understand where the hangup is?
Thanks.
jim and nena
fort worth
Hi J&N. From what I think I remember from talking to Tom, it was the Governor’s responsibility to bring the containers from Colon to David and then to return them. After containers have arrived at the port you have a certain amount of time to take them from the port and once they have left you have seven days to return them. Exceeding any time limit incurs a fine.
The containers from last year were not returned on time and that is the large fine that is outstanding.
However, the new containers are now also receiving a fine because they are still in the port and they will not be released because the fine on last years container has not been paid. It is the new governor that is responsible for getting them from Colon to David and returning them within the 7 day limit.
The new shipment “IN” should not reflect the last “OUT” RETURN. That should be someone else’s responsibility from last Administration and should not reflect on this shipment. I guess it is all tied together. I don’t believe now someone should be responsible for the lack of responsibility of others. Being involved in shipping, the names on the docs were relative.
Hopefully, the problem will be solved soon. I know Tom is going nuts working through the Panamanian process.