The Government has been urged by the Bangladesh Shipping Agents’ Association (BSAA) to cancel all port charges that resulted from delays in handling containers during the week-long unrest, internet outage, and strict curfew that started on 18th July.
As the only trade association for shipping brokers in the nation, the BSAA reported that during the week, they had serious difficulties managing vessels and finishing other procedures, like releasing import containers.
“The shipping industry is completely internet-based both locally and internationally,” BSAA Chairman Syed Mohammad Arif said in a letter to the Chittagong Port Authority.
“Things have been returning to normal day-by-day ever since internet connectivity was restored,” he added.
According to the BSAA, the current instability has also resulted in an increase in the stay time, including turnaround time, for vessels at berth and in the outer anchorage.
For instance, ships wishing to be released were delayed for two to three days, and approximately ten feeder ships and six breakbulk ships were unable to depart on time due to delays in the loading and unloading of cargo.
As a result, the daily expenses for each vessel came to almost Taka 1.5 lakh.
The BSAA further stated that feeder vessels carried fewer export containers on board than were initially scheduled, and the majority of them were unable to establish contact with second carriers at transshipment ports.
It further stated that the breakbulk vessels have not been successful in securing further cargo bookings thus far.
