The delivery of containers has increased recently due to the initiatives taken the authorities concerned in a bid to reduce container and shipping congestion at the country's largest seaport.
“Container delivery is on the rise since the Ministry of Shipping, National Board of Revenue took necessary initiatives in addition to the efficient management by the port authorities,” said Port Secretary Md. Omar Faruq.
As many as 8,682 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) were delivered from the port in last 48 hours till Thursday morning including those of 4,440 TEUs in 24 hours till Wednesday morning.
As a result, prime movers, trailers, covered vans and trucks carrying containers increased in the port area.
According to the port's sources, currently the Chattogram port has 45,265 TEUs with a capacity of 49,018 containers.
The delivery, however, dropped by 500 to 700 containers after the government announced the general holiday to stem the spread of coronavirus. Port sources said, the delivery rose as more than 1,000 containers, carrying any imported goods, are being moved off-dock every day. Earlier 38 types of products were taken off-dock.
Besides, reopening of garment factories increased the demand of raw materials, thus rose the unloading of containers from the port. Container delivery also went up as demand for essentials like gram, garlic, ginger, and fruits increases during Ramadan.
Meanwhile, port authorities gave a full discount on store rent for unloading containers full of goods imported during coronavirus crisis, boosting the importers to unload goods at the port.
Port Sources said, 3,935 TEU containers in 2,570 boxes full of imported goods were unloaded from the ship at the jetty or terminal in 24 hours till last Thursday morning. 2,939 containers loaded with export goods and empty containers were lifted.
Total handling was 6,874 TEUs. 69 containers went to Dhaka Kamalapur ICD by train. 1,800 TEUs were sent in 1,159 boxes full of imported goods to various depots in 24 hours. Empty containers are shipped to 182 TEUs. OnChesis has delivered 688 TEUs. Delivery from the yard was 1,774 TEUs.
Total 12 container ships are being handled at GCB, NCT and CCT of the port. There are 28 more container ships waiting at the outer anchorage due to congestion at the jetty.
Eight general cargo shipments, 6 food grain shipments, 18 cement clinker shipments, three oil tanker shipmnts are being unloaded at the outer anchorage. The port has a total of 104 ships.
However, if the container is delivered within the stipulated time importers will get enjoy full discount on store rent, Faruq said.
