Disruption to export-import business: Situation gradually improving
DailySun || Shining BD
The disruption in export-import business caused by the non-cooperation movement, curfew, and the subsequent situation in the country has been gradually improving after three days of turmoil. Activities at the Chattogram Customs House, which had been suspended since 2:00 pm on Tuesday for security reasons, resumed on Wednesday morning.
Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) Secretary Omar Faruq reported that a significant number of vehicles began arriving with and for goods as the overall situation in the country improved. Consequently, deliveries were expedited on Tuesday and Wednesday compared to the previous days.
According to data from the CPA, 4,971 Twenty Equivalent Unit (TEU) containers were handled within the port in the 24 hours leading up to 8am on Wednesday. Additionally, 2,238 containers were delivered to consignees and private Inland Container Depots (ICD), against the average daily delivery of around 4,000 containers.
As of Wednesday, a total of 42,638 containers were stored in the port yards, against a total storage capacity of 53,581 TEUs, according to sources. Chowdhury Zafar Ahmed, Secretary General of the Bangladesh Covered Van-Truck-Prime Mover Goods Transportation Owners Association, said that the situation is gradually improving. "The restoration of security to and from Chattogram will help regain the usual pace," he expressed optimism.
It is worth mentioning that the transportation of containers to and from the country’s premier seaport had come to an almost complete halt due to the non-cooperation movement, curfew, and the resulting situation in the country, severely hampering export-import businesses. Only 329 containers were delivered in the 24 hours leading up to 8am on Tuesday. This disruption increased the number of containers lying in the port yards, reducing the required operational space. A total of 44,117 containers were stored in the port yards as of Tuesday morning.
Export-import through Banglabandha port resumes
The import-export operations resumed through the Banglabandha land port in Panchagarh on Wednesday morning after being suspended for two days.
Some 145 trucks carrying stones arrived here from India and Bhutan, while 27 trucks carrying various goods went to India.
Abul Kalam Azad, in-charge of Banglabandha port, said the security has been strengthened in the port area.
Trade through Benapole likely to normalise from Thursday
The export and import activities at the Benapole land port in Jashore remained suspended practically as no trucks carrying goods arrived here from India or went to the Petrapole port from Bangladesh on Wednesday.
Although goods were unloaded at Benapole, importers were reluctant to release those due to security concerns.
Rezaul Karim, director (traffic) of Benapole port, hoped that the import-export activities would return to normalcy gradually from Thursday.
Meanwhile, goods were cleared at the customs house of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on a limited scale on Wednesday.
Shining BD