Court halts selective cargo inspections in Puerto Rico

Although the Ports Authority eventually plans to inspect all cargo coming onto the island from the US mainland it is months away from being ready to do so at facilities operated by Crowley’s competitors. There are no plans to carry out similar inspections of cargo coming from foreign locations.

Crowley’s concern is that conducting the inspections solely at Crowley facilities would not improve security and yet put Crowley at a severe competitive disadvantage.

“We very much support the Puerto Rico government’s goal in trying to deter smuggling weapons and other contraband onto the island,” said John Douglass, senior vice president and general manager of Crowley’s Puerto Rico service. “But this is not the way to do it. Any contraband would simply be shipped from a foreign port, or on a different carrier from the mainland.” He added that uncertainty over potential delays resulting from the inspection program will likely drive legitimate business to other carriers.