Chattogram: The Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) has implemented strategic measures by forming three distinct taskforces aimed at facilitating the seamless unloading of goods at the jetty and outer anchorage during the extended Eid holidays.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, this initiative addresses the significant challenges posed by the prolonged Eid holidays, which often disrupt the country’s import-export trade due to the absence of operations by the 26 associated organizations, including ports, customs, shipping, banks, and clearing and forwarding agents. To complement the CPA’s efforts, customs has established ten specialized teams to ensure efficiency.
The focus of this strategy is the seven-day public holiday of Eid-ul-Azha, starting on May 25. Although Chattogram port typically manages an average of 8,700 TEUs of containers daily, with approximately 4,500 TEUs unloaded or delivered each day, these numbers drop significantly during the Eid holidays. This particularly affects the ready-made garment sector, as delays in receiving imported raw materials can lead to production and supply shortages, hampering exports.
In anticipation of Eid, operations at 21 private inland container depots (ICDs) have seen a surge of 50 to 55 percent, with daily processing of export and import containers increasing from the usual 7,500 and 2,500, respectively, to 11,000 and 3,500. The private off-dock association ‘Bikda’ attributes this rise to the increased shipment demand preceding Eid.
Ruhul Amin Sikder Biplob, Secretary General of Bikda, noted that importers and exporters are expediting their tasks due to the extended post-Eid holiday, leading to increased pressure on the port facilities.
The CPA’s three taskforces will focus on key areas such as bulk goods unloading at the outer anchorage, active container movements and yard management at the jetty, and port water security. BGMEA Director Rakibul Alam Chowdhury emphasized the importance of uninterrupted export and import operations, warning that delays could severely impact garment production and the national economy.
Commodore Amin Ahmed Abdullah from the CPA confirmed that two taskforces will manage goods unloading and jetty yard operations during Eid, while a separate taskforce will oversee overall security. Assistant Commissioner of Chattogram Custom House Sharif Md. Al Amin assured that sufficient officers and staff would be present to maintain normal customs operations.