The standoff at the Port of Belize is effectively over - though the two sides - the Port and Stevedores - remain at loggerheads.

But, we can say it's over, at least temporarily, tonight because, this afternoon at 3:00 pm, stevedore gang #5 went into the Port compound to discharge the Aries - which is the same vessel that could not be cleared last week. And it's also the same vessel of which - on Friday afternoon - the Port of Belize said in a press release, quote, "the MV Aries (has) departed the Port of Belize. This has consequently caused financial damage to all stakeholders including the domestic consumers of Belize," end quote.

Well, that was just scapegoating because this is footage taken today of the stevedores actually discharging and loading that vessel for BEC shipping agents.

On Friday evening, the Aries went a few miles away to anchorage at the direction of the Port Authority - and returned to the Pierhead this afternoon.

At that point the Port of Belize sent for gang #5 - which is the same gang they locked out last week. That is the gang currently working the ship. As we understand it, only one gang will work this ship. This is only a working arrangement - and the two sides remain at loggerheads.

Channel 7