Port Authority Director, Mr. Paul Hurlston, has announced that effective immediately there will be no Port fees applied to goods imported to Cayman Brac for a period of one month.

We want to remove any potential barrier for recovery. We know people will start rebuilding and will need access to materials as quickly as possible to recover from the destructive forces of Hurricane Paloma, Mr. Hurlston said. The respite of Port fees for one month is to meet immediate demands; we will revisit this issue as necessary, he added.

Minister for Commerce, who also has ministerial responsibility for the Port Authority, the Honourable Charles E. Clifford welcomes the news from the Port Authority saying, This is good news and one more step in the right direction to ensure the recovery of our Sister Islands is swift and effectively meets the needs of our people. I commend the Port Authority for stepping up to the plate and encourage those private sector companies that are in control of fees and charges on the residents of our Sister Islands to follow suit as a way of aiding their recovery from Hurricane Paloma.

Meantime, the Port Director also announced that the Creek Dock will be operational shortly. Although the exterior of the warehouse had been damaged by the hurricane, the frame remains intact and repairs are scheduled.

The Port Authority will also be reallocating staff resources from Grand Cayman each day starting Wednesday, 12 November to aid in the clean up and restoration of the Creek Dock as well as to assist with the discharge of vessels.