2,500 containers of Ramadan goods await delivery at Chattogram Port
The Chattogram Port Authority has written to importers, and companies responsible for unloading goods, to take delivery of their goods imported for Ramadan
A total 2,500 containers of goods, mostly demanded for Ramadan, have remained stuck at the port yard due to the slow delivery of goods amid the Covid-19 shutdown.
The Chattogram Port Authority has sent letters to importers, and companies responsible for unloading goods, to take delivery of their goods imported for Ramadan.
The letter said 57,500 tonnes of fresh fruits, 1,473 tonnes of onions, 475 tonnes of ginger, and 850 tonnes of garlic – in 2,500 containers – have remained stuck at the Chattogram Port yard till April 25.
Chattogram Port Authority Secretary Omar Faruk said, "In order to keep the market stable, we asked importers to take deliveries of all the consignments. However, the desired response of the letter from the importers has yet been received till April 27."
Additionally, the port authorities, on April 25, also sent letters to the Chattogram Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Chattogram C&F Agents Association, Bangladesh Fresh Fruits Importers Association, and Bangladesh Fruit Traders Association to take effective measures for the speedy delivery of cargo containers.
The letters said the port had to store excess goods due to low delivery of goods in the last month during the Covid-19 shutdown. Chattogram Port has asked them to take effective measures for the speedy delivery of cargo containers in a bid to curb commodity price hikes during Ramadan.
The port yard has acquired additional capacity for 49,000 containers. All types of goods have already been transferred to private inland container depots (ICDs) and the activities of the Chattogram Customs House have been fully activated to ensure the smooth unloading of goods.
When the shutdown started, the delivery of goods from Chattogram port decreased due to the transport crisis and other reasons. As a result, containers and ships have been stuck at the port.
Chattogram Chamber of Commerce and Industries President Mahbubul Alam said every importer should take delivery of goods from the port to keep the supply chain in order.
"After receiving the letter from the port authorities, we have also given that instruction to the people concerned to keep the supply of goods uninterrupted during Ramadan," he said.
The letter sent to the importers Messrs Khatunganj Trading, Messrs Sabrin Enterprise and Messrs Tanzil Enterprise said there are 43,740 twenty-foot equivalent containers (TEUs) in Chattogram port as of April 25. A total 475 tonnes of ginger – or about 38 TEUs – are awaiting delivery.
Additionally, the letter sent to the importers Messrs Wasif Trading, Messrs Sultana Corporation, Messrs Sabrina Enterprise, KN International, Messrs Monir Enterprise, and RS Trade Link, stated that 850 tonnes of garlic in 64 single containers is awaiting delivery in the Chattogram Port yard.
Further, BSMC Syndicate, Messrs FF International, Messrs Monir Enterprise, MR Trading were requested to take delivery of 1,473 tonnes of onions in 102 containers. Plus, the Bangladesh Fresh Fruits Importers Association and Bangladesh Fruit Traders Association were requested to take delivery of 57,500 tonnes of fresh fruits from 2,300 containers.
