Bangladesh's Chittagong Port dealing with container pile-up: Reports

19 Apr '24

1 min read

Pic: Adobe Stock

Insights

Over 6,000 additional containers accumulated within eight days during Eid holidays.
Despite being fully operational on Eid-ul-Fitr and Pahela Baishakh holidays, expected benefits did not reflect in container delivery activities.
On Eid day, container deliveries reportedly dropped to zero.
Importers' reluctance to take delivery worsened the situation.

Over a span of just eight days since 9 April, Chittagong Port has witnessed a staggering accumulation of over 6,000 additional containers.

This is as per media reports, which added despite assurances from the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) regarding operational readiness before Eid, importer reluctance during holidays severely undermined the port’s efficiency even as on the day of Eid, deliveries allegedly plunged to zero, a stark contrast to the typical rate of 4,000 to 4,500 containers per day.

Although the port remained open during holidays, incomplete operations by banks, customs, and closed factory warehouses, coupled with restrictions on vehicle movement, contributed to importers not receiving deliveries.

Meanwhile, Ruhul Amin Shikder, secretary of Bangladesh Inland Container Depots Association (BICDA) highlighted a recurring reduction in container deliveries before and after Eid, leading to congestion at ports and depots every year.

Shikder further noted a ban on covered van movement for three days before and after Eid, caused delivery challenges and increased the transportation costs.

According to port authorities, container deliveries dwindled after April 9 even as on April 10, only 3,195 containers were delivered while on the day of Eid, no containers were reportedly delivered.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DR)

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