Centralizing all customs operations at the Nassau Container Port (NCP), located on Arawak Cay, is part of the government's effort to revamp the customs department's communication and technology capabilities, according to State Minister for Finance Zhivargo Laing.
Laing confirmed to Guardian Business that the NCP would be operational by June.
"We are removing from the city center all customs ports for the purpose of landing foreign goods, freight, cargo, containers, freight equipment, bulk materials and/or exporting goods.  These items are now situated at the John Alfred Dock and Union Dock," he said.
He added that all customs operations in the city of Nassau will be situated at NCP's break-bulk terminal.
Services will also be provided at the Gladstone Freight Terminal, which is being appointed a transit shed beginning April 1.
Laing revealed that Clifton Pier would be appointed as a sufferance port with several restrictions.  It must be used solely for the loading of petroleum products, asphalt and cement.  Twenty-four hours of advanced notice will be given to the customs department and for the transportation of custom officers that will be provided by the import companies, he added.
As of May 15, the NCP and the Gladstone Freight Terminal will provide transit shed services exclusively.  All rights granted to other existing transit shares, that is at the John Alfred Dock and the Union dock, will be revoked effective May 14, 2012.
Laing noted that the operations of docks presently located at the city center would cease effective March 31.
"We believe that these developments will greatly improve efficiency, security and revenue collection for the benefit of the Bahamian public," he said.
The new $82 million NCP on Arawak Cay will be capable of doubling the current volumes.  In the past, imports were spread out among six different docks.  The new site brings all of these operations together.
A state-of-the-art terminal management system called NAVIS-Argo will monitor, record and facilitate cargo coming in and going out of Nassau.  In fact, all imports must pass through a single point before being distributed.
In March, shipping companies will begin their move to Arawak Cay and the new $15.2 million Gladstone Freight Terminal in Fire Trail Road.
By June, the NCP and the Gladstone Freight Terminal will be fully up and running, along with what executives hope will be a new era for the shipping industry in Nassau.

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