Even though the Chittagong Port was open to trade during the Pahela Baishakh and Eid-ul-Fitr holidays, container delivery operations did not show the expected perks.
Over 6,000 additional containers have accumulated at the port within just eight days, since 9th April.
On Eid day, container deliveries plummeted to zero, with only around 1,000 containers being delivered on other days of the 5-day Government-sanctioned holiday. This starkly contrasts with the normal delivery rate of 4,000 to 4,500 containers per day during regular times.
Before every Eid, stakeholders are assured of the port’s operational readiness and the availability of all services for delivery, according to the Chittagong Port Authority. But around the holidays, the port’s capacity to remain viable is compromised by importers’ unwillingness to accept goods.
Users of the port, however, reported that while the port is still open, banks and customs are closed on holidays. Additionally, factory warehouses stay locked, and the movement of cars carrying goods is restricted. According to the port users, these problems result in importers not receiving goods over the holidays.
Bangladesh Inland Container Depots Association (BICDA) Secretary General Ruhul Amin Shikder stated that a significant reduction in container deliveries is seen before and after Eid which results in congestion at ports and depots, terming it a recurring issue every year.
“There is a ban on covered van movement for three days before and after Eid. Because of this, importers face problems in taking delivery of goods. Other problems during Eid holidays include harassment on roads and extra fare. However, transportation of export goods remains outside this restriction,” he further said.
In addition, he highlighted the necessity of concerted efforts from all parties involved to guarantee both the seamless travel of passengers and the continuous transit of commodities throughout the Eid vacations.
Md Omar Farooq, secretary of Chittagong Port Authority, said, “Though we assured continued delivery operations during Eid holidays, no containers were delivered from the port on Eid day. The port, which typically handles 9,000 to 10,000 containers daily, only managed to handle 572 TEUs on Eid.”
53,518 TEU is the capacity of Chittagong Port’s container yard. The port must maintain a 15 per cent unoccupied capacity in order to function. As per the port authority, approximately 45,500 TEU containers are typical to have in the port yard. The number of containers kept in the port yard, according to the port authority, is typical.
Regarding the issue, Shafiqul Alam Jewel, vice chairman of Bangladesh Shipping Agents Association, highlighted the closure of customs operations during Eid holidays while underscoring the necessity of keeping all relevant institutions operational to leverage the benefits of port operation.
To maintain continuous import-export operations, he also stressed the significance of government decisions made during the policy-making process.
