In what is seen as a move to ease container congestion in the all-import Chittagong Port while also try and address the container shortage amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Chittagong Customs House has, reportedly, decided to dispose 298 containers filled with perishable goods that have been left abandoned by importers even as the customs authorities from Monday last have, reportedly, began disposing of around 6,000 tonnes of perishable items, which were imported between 2011 and 2020.
According to media reports, the customs authorities have, reportedly, underlined the action will reduce the pressure of containers in the port yard — due to non-delivery of goods on time, there has been a risk of congestion at the port since last month, with the port authorities urging traders to remove the containers loaded with imported goods quickly — even as after doubling of store rent, the importers were, reportedly, not showing much keenness on prompt content delivery, which has led the authorities to undertake such action, while the Director of K Line Shipping, Shahed Sarwer, on his part, reportedly, told the media that container fares have increased due to shortage of containers amidst the pandemic and going on to add that most of these containers and goods have been stuck at ports due to the pandemic-induced closure of manufacturing units around the world.
Even though imports and exports have risen, the containers are not being delivered accordingly, Sarwer said, adding that to deal with this crisis, there is no option but to end the auctioning of containers quickly.
