CHATTOGRAM, Aug 4: The operational activities of Chattogram Port, the Prime sea port of the Country, have been facing setbacks following the continuous movement of the anti-discrimination student movement.
In most cases delivery of both cargo and containers has been disrupted severely. As a result, the shifting of both import and export has been halted.
For this reason, the maritime trade of the country has been badly affected. The trade circles of the country including the Chambers, Shipping agents Association, freight forwarder Association and C & F Association demanded an immediate solution of the situation for the sake of the National economy.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Railway suspended the movement of all trains for an unavoidable circumstance since July 18 last. The trains of Bangladesh Railway were scheduled to to carry containers to Kamalapur ICD from Chattogram Port. Following the suspension of train movement the Chattogram Port is facing congestion of containers again.
The port's yard is currently stockpiled with over 2,000 TEUs (Twenty-foot equivalent units) of Kamalapur ICD-bound containers, much higher from its capacity of 876 TEUs.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Railway began transport through railway wagons on a limited scale on August 2, but the port authorities and importers said this would not be enough to ease the congestion.
Despite the limited resumption of train services during the curfew only two days ago, Bangladesh Railway decided to suspend all types of train operations on Sunday again.
Previously, train services in various parts of the country had been suspended from July 18 in the face of the quota reform movement.
However, train operations were completely halted from July 19 following the imposition of the curfew. Finally, after 13 days, limited train services resumed on August 1.
At that time, the Ministry of Railways announced that Bangladesh Railway had decided to operate short-distance trains from August 1. The Anti-Discriminatory Student Movement held demonstrations across the country on Saturday. An all-out non-cooperation movement has been.
According to CPA sources, currently a total of 11 container vessels are working in jetties of the Port. Besides, a total of 17 container vessels have been waiting for taking berth.
Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) sources said, the Port is facing the congestion of container shipping as there was complete shut down during the last few days following the student unrest.
As a result, a large numbers of container ships remained idle in the Outer Anchorage of the Port, sources said.
Currently the container ships have been arriving in the port on an average three ships daily. But the unloading of containers from ships at jetties has been delayed for the same reason.
CPA sources further said that more 47 container ships will arrive in the port till September 3 next.
Presently the container load at the port was 41,620 TEUs against the maximum storage capacity of the port is 53,518 TEUs.
