BM Container Depot resumes operation partially 

BM Container Depot, the private inland container depot (ICD) in Chattogram's Sitakunda that witnessed devastating explosion on 4 June that killed at least 51 people, has partially resumed handling empty containers after two and half months of closure.

On 22 August, Chattogram Custom House gave the permission to the depot authority to resume container handling activities on conditions.

Meanwhile, the depot authority has applied to the commissioner of the customs house on Monday (29 August) seeking permission to start handling export and import containers.

Noor Uddin Milon, deputy commissioner of Chattogram Custom House, told The Business Standard, "Initially we have allowed them to store and transport empty containers on conditions. The depot authority has sought permission for handling import and export containers. We have not decided on this yet."

Chattogram Custom House has given two conditions to the BM Container Depot authority to start partial operations. First, the depot authority will have to submit clearance certificates from the Department of Environment (DoE), Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defense and the Department of Explosives within 15 days of the permission.

They will also have to sign a memorandum of understanding with a nearby fire station within the same time.

Custom officials said empty containers are being brought from the Chattogram port to the depot every day after getting permission on 22 August. Besides, empty containers are also being brought from different factories of the country.

Md Nurul Akhtar, deputy general manager (operation) of BM Depot, told TBS, "We started transporting empty containers from 22 August after getting permission from the customs office. As of 30 August, we handled 2,701 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent unit) of empty containers and 407 TEUs of import containers."

"Currently, the depot has 871 TEUs of empty, 255 TEUs of export and 2 TEUs of import containers. After the accident, 2 CFS sheds of 54,000 square feet, import shed of 13,000 square feet and jute shed of 10,000 square feet are still intact."

Regarding the conditions given by the customs authorities, Nurul Akhtar said, "We will get the clearance of the institutions within a week."

At least 51 people lost their lives and more than 200 got injured in the fire in the depot caused by hydrogen peroxide explosion on 4 June.

The Chattogram Customs Authority stopped all activities of the depot on 5 June, the day after the accident.