Minister of Home Affairs, the Hon. Alexa Lightbourne, JP, MP, recently joined Cheryl Hayward-Chew, CEO of Meyer Group, and the Meyer Freight team to tour the working cargo vessel M/V Bermuda Islander and the Hamilton Container Port.
The site visit supported the Ministry’s ongoing review of import logistics and the wider supply chain that feeds Bermuda’s shelves.
The engagement follows the Cost of Living Summit and forms part of a structured programme of industry visits. The objective is clear. Understand the cost drivers inside shipping and port operations and convert that insight into practical reforms that lower business overheads and ease pressure on households.
Minister Lightbourne was guided by George Butterfield, Vice President of Freight, and Konika Spence, Assistant Manager of Meyer Freight. Onboard, Captain Dmytro Sefer and Chief Officer Dmytro Keyshnikov briefed the delegation on sailing schedules, weather impacts, and the planning required for reliable arrivals.
At the Hamilton Port, Minister Lightbourne met with Randy Rochester, CEO of Polaris Holding Company Ltd., for a walkthrough of container discharge, the foreman’s hut, and coordination with local trucking services.
“Seeing each handoff in real time sharpened the picture,” said Minister Lightbourne. “Scheduling, weather, berth availability, and yard flow each add cost and risk. When we improve predictability and cut avoidable delays, we lower prices felt by families and small businesses. That is the work.”
“Meyer Freight and Bermuda International Shipping Ltd. were delighted to share with the Minister and her team the critical operations that take place weekly on the Hamilton container port,” Ms. Hayward-Chew remarked.
“In addition to the physical movement of cargo, Meyer Freight’s administrators work in the background with Bermuda’s shippers to book and track cargo deliveries in and out of Bermuda. Along with our partners, we are honoured to play our part ensuring the safe and on time delivery of cargo in a cost effective manner.”
The Ministry will continue targeted engagements with freight operators, port management, and retailers. Findings will inform policy options that promote reliability, transparency, and fair pricing. This work advances the Government’s mandate for unity, equity, and tangible progress, with a direct link to cost of living relief.