Chittagong Port urges cargo recovery to ease operation

CHATTOGRAM : Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) continues to struggle with operational disruptions caused by significant influx of containers and cargo, it has issued an urgent appeal to businesses to promptly collect their imports, even during public holidays.

The CPA emphasised the importance of keeping a smooth supply chain of essential commodities and stable prices, particularly during Eid-ul-Fitr holidays.

In a letter addressed to the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), and the Customs Agent Association, the CPA highlighted the current challenge of approximately 26,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of full containers and a substantial volume of un-stuffed cargo occupying port yards and various cargo freight station (CFS) sheds.

This congestion has significantly impeded port’s operations.

To mitigate these disruptions and ensure uninterrupted loading and unloading of containers , the CPA underscored the need for expedited cargo delivery from both port yards and CFS facilities.

Furthermore, the CPA also stressed the importance of collecting containers holding raw materials for the garment industry, hazardous cargo, and frozen food on weekdays and public holidays to alleviate congestion.

The CPA emphasised that if importers facilitate timely cargo collection and maintain operational warehouses before and after Eid, the port can effectively manage the influx of ships and containers using existing infrastructure.

Additionally, the port authority affirmed its readiness to provide round-the-clock container and cargo delivery services.

Currently, the port’s capacity of 53,518 TEUs is strained, with approximately 29,056 TEUs occupying the yard space, as per reports.