PHILIPSBURG;--- Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Grisha Heyliger-Marten says the government is actively monitoring shipping costs and their possible impact on consumer prices as global fuel instability continues.
Speaking during the question-and-answer segment of Wednesday’s Council of Ministers press briefing, Heyliger-Marten responded to concerns that rising fuel prices could drive up freight charges, supermarket prices, refrigeration costs, and transportation expenses across the island.
The minister confirmed that her ministry is maintaining direct communication with shipping companies to track rate changes and determine whether increases are justified.
“What we continue to do is monitor our basket of goods,” she said. “We also monitor what the inspector has been doing, checking prices.”
According to Heyliger-Marten, the ministry receives updates from shipping companies whenever freight rates change. That information is then used by inspectors who visit supermarkets and compare retail prices to determine whether excessive markups are taking place.
She explained that if prices rise sharply without reasonable cause, the ministry intervenes and raises concerns with businesses.
“Based on that, the inspectors are going into the supermarkets, monitoring the rates, and seeing if it is a huge spike given what the shipping company has just informed us,” she stated.
Despite international concerns about higher shipping and fuel costs, the minister said Sint Maarten has not yet experienced any major increases in the prices of everyday goods.
“For now, the basket of goods remains as is,” she said. “We haven’t received any major issues on spikes.”
Heyliger-Marten added that shipping cost increases so far have remained relatively moderate, and supermarkets have generally maintained stable pricing.
Still, she acknowledged that global developments could eventually affect import costs and said the ministry will continue watching the situation carefully.
“The focus is on monitoring and mitigating if there is any over-access in prices,” she said.
With Sint Maarten heavily dependent on imported goods, the TEATT Ministry says continued oversight remains essential to protecting consumers from unjustified price hikes.
