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Looming box congestion at Bangladesh's Chattogram port
来源： 编辑：编辑部 发布：2020/04/10 09:42:02
RESTRICTIONS on the movement of container carriers, lorries, covered vans and trucks at Bangladesh's Chattogram (Chittagong) seaport are slowing down the delivery of containers amid failure to deliver imported cargo on schedule.
As a result, container congestion is likely to hamper the overall port activity within days if not tackled successfully, reported Hellenic Shipping News.
It seems that part of the problem is the lack of test kits at the port for essential, imported goods for the coronavirus.
The country's premier seaport can hold 50,000 TEU of full container load (FCL) containers, and had 44,926 containers as of last Wednesday.
Officials of the Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) said the port can deliver 7,000 TEU daily. However, now only 1,000 TEU are being delivery daily due to the coronavirus pandemic, leaving idle containers stuck in port yards.
As many ready-made garment factories are closed, they are not taking delivery of their imported goods. Even many buying orders from Bangladesh are not delivered, leaving imported containers stranded and blocking port yards.
CPA secretary Omar Faruk said: "Chattogram port is continuing its operations in line with the coronavirus prevention guideline. But container delivery is slow."
"We've written to the organisations concerned, including BGMEA and BKMEA to take delivery of their containers from Chattogram port," he cited.
"No container congestion on port yards till today as operational activities are still continuing as usual. If importers don't take delivery of the containers soon, we will face congestion."
The CPA has decided to shift some containers to blank spaces within the port area to avoid the spillover of containers, Mr Faruk said.
Off-dock yards are also facing crisis to manage containers. There were 61,500 TEU and 9,850 FCL ones with exported goods last week. The remaining 42,510 containers were empty.
CPA sources said 78 ships waited at the port last week. Of them, 52 ships waited at outer anchorage and the rest 26 unloaded cargoes at different jetties.
Sources said the port is in operation 24 hours now for smooth supply chain during the government directive for people to stay at home for coronavirus.
Chattogram Customs House commissioner Fakhrul Alam said: "Chattogram Customs House remains open for 24 hours to ensure supply chain."
As a result, container congestion is likely to hamper the overall port activity within days if not tackled successfully, reported Hellenic Shipping News.
It seems that part of the problem is the lack of test kits at the port for essential, imported goods for the coronavirus.
The country's premier seaport can hold 50,000 TEU of full container load (FCL) containers, and had 44,926 containers as of last Wednesday.
Officials of the Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) said the port can deliver 7,000 TEU daily. However, now only 1,000 TEU are being delivery daily due to the coronavirus pandemic, leaving idle containers stuck in port yards.
As many ready-made garment factories are closed, they are not taking delivery of their imported goods. Even many buying orders from Bangladesh are not delivered, leaving imported containers stranded and blocking port yards.
CPA secretary Omar Faruk said: "Chattogram port is continuing its operations in line with the coronavirus prevention guideline. But container delivery is slow."
"We've written to the organisations concerned, including BGMEA and BKMEA to take delivery of their containers from Chattogram port," he cited.
"No container congestion on port yards till today as operational activities are still continuing as usual. If importers don't take delivery of the containers soon, we will face congestion."
The CPA has decided to shift some containers to blank spaces within the port area to avoid the spillover of containers, Mr Faruk said.
Off-dock yards are also facing crisis to manage containers. There were 61,500 TEU and 9,850 FCL ones with exported goods last week. The remaining 42,510 containers were empty.
CPA sources said 78 ships waited at the port last week. Of them, 52 ships waited at outer anchorage and the rest 26 unloaded cargoes at different jetties.
Sources said the port is in operation 24 hours now for smooth supply chain during the government directive for people to stay at home for coronavirus.
Chattogram Customs House commissioner Fakhrul Alam said: "Chattogram Customs House remains open for 24 hours to ensure supply chain."