In the past it would have taken ASR/BSI up to a month to load up and ship out their product to the UK, but thanks to significant investments made here at the Big Creek Port in the South, once they are on schedule it only takes up to 6 days to load. And with that BSI ASR has broken its own record with their largest single shipment of raw sugar, a total of 39,500 metric tons loaded onto this Canadian owned cargo ship. Their Senior Supply Chain Manager gave us more details.

Eldy Smith, Senior Supply Chain Manager, BSI ASR
"So as you guys can see today is a memorable moment for us is one of the largest vessels that has docked Belize we are loading 39,500 metric tons we are expecting to finish loading within 6 days we have some delays and mainly this is because of the rain but our loading rates are mainly between 5,000- 7,000 metric tons an hour right now we are currently meeting the 5,000 and we are hoping that we can get better with the weekend that we have better sunny skies."

"The vessel arrived late Monday evening and we shortly after we started operations because this vessel should have been loaded within 6 days but because of some significant rainfall we've been experiencing we should expect to finalize loading by Tuesday the 24th so that every one can go and some quality time with their family."

Communications Director for BSI ASR William Neal says that they have a duty to meet the demands of the customer, and in order to do so they had to make some significant investments.

William Neal, Communications Director, BSI ASR
"Generally it's when the customer decides that they need the product so the increased efficiency offered by this port facility makes us able to be efficient and also effective in terms of our loading to make sure we move into those markets when they need it so this is actually product from last crop we are getting ready to move into the new crop but we've been storing we have about 42 metric tons stored here at our warehouse and we are moving 39,500 but it's really based on our contract agreements and that's when we decided to move it. But we also look at the best possible time because obviously if you're moving a bigger pay load then the cost goes down in terms of shipping costs."

"It's really not only historic for BSI but for the country because it shows that if we have the right port facilities we can do much more and on a world where competitiveness it's important when you are talking about businesses you have to make sure that you are able to respond to the needs of your client as they arise so while we are moving on a regular basis the raw sugar down here we have to make sure that we are able to compete with other larger producers globally. So the infrastructure here at the port that we invested more than 30 million for proves that this was long overdue and perhaps it's something that we need to do more in terms of port and infrastructure development."

He further explained the challenges that they faced in shipping, from outdated machinery to even insurance and maintenance.

William Neal, Communications Director, BSI ASR
"I think there is no denying that the tug and barge system was antiquated and outdated to develop a better way besides the fact that maintaining the barges and the tug was so expensive and because they are antiquated, getting parts was a challenge. You are talking about metal barges in sea water so you are talking about degradation of the barges themselves. So off crop would mean besides fixing things at tower hill we would also have to do a comprehensive overhaul of the rugs and barges. We also had issues with insurance getting to a point where you can no longer ensure those barges. We were just having problems and it made a lot of dollars and sense to actually move to this facility because of the savings that drove that entire process it's not easy when you are a business and you are doing massive transformation to continue spending money because the impression then is that you have a lot a money but if you do nothing you are going to die. You have to make the investment."

"If a ship like this took 40 days, imagine paying 50K that is significant so all those savings go back to the industry and to the farmers benefit as well because they get 65% of whatever savings we have."

The minister of state for foreign trade says that they applaud BSI ASR for keeping up with the competition on the international market by making the necessary investments and adjustments that will definitely contribute to Belize's economy in the long run.

Osmond Martinez, Minister of State, Foreign Trade
"Yes and when we look at the comparative and competitive advantages you know whenever we analyze the efficiencies and the effects in terms of the supply chain and to be able to compete in the global market in this case to supply sugar it's very important because the more we are able to export that means how competitive we are in terms of price and today when you look at the global inflation the global inflation that is affecting all consumers in the world being competitive in terms of price is very important and so that positions Belize very well but more importantly it's positioning BSI ASR very well in terms of their efficiency.by being able to export at one time this amount of cargo which will definitely help in terms of controlling the global inflation and to reduce the cost of the product."