Clicky
National, Back Page

Strike causes congestion in Chittagong Port


Published : 20 Nov 2019 08:51 PM | Updated : 06 Sep 2020 09:46 PM

Following a strike of truck-covered van owners and workers demanding a ratification of road transport law, transport of goods from Chittagong port and export containers from Inland container Depots ICDs remains suspended. Almost 90 percent of the country's import-export goods are transported by sea through Chittagong port.

 Port Officials and Business association leaders feared, if the strike continues, container and goods congestion will occur at the port. As  a result, prices of different consumer products will increase. On Wednesday, no truck-covered vans had arrived at the port to pick up imported containers and goods, but in jetties operation of loading and unloading was normal.

Omar Faruk, port Secretary of Chattogram Port Authority  said that if the goods are not delivered outside the port, loading and unloading from the ships would have to be stopped.  There will be no more space in the yards after another day. On Wednesday, 35,000 containers were stored at the ports. Every day seven to eight thousand TEUS containers are unloaded from the ships. In all, 50,000 TUS can be stored in all yards of the port, He added.

Meanwhile, container shipment with export goods from the Inland Container Depots ICDs along with the port have been stopped. ICD Association source said, on Wednesday no container came to the port from the ICDs till now due to the strike.  Whereas everyday, 1,800-2,000 export containers enter the port from the ICDs. Also, 1,000 import containers come to the inland depot from the port, and 1,700 vacant containers are moved from the port to the ICDs.

 Some 5,000 trucks, covered vans and lorries and prime movers enter the port for goods delivery and shipment every day.  Abdus Salam Vice President of BGMEA Association  of   export oriented garments factories  said, The strike will have sever negative impact on the total Ready Made Garments RMG sector.

Due to the strike, no goods entered  Chakai-Khatunganj.the country's largest consumer market. General Secretary of Chattogram District Covered Van, Truck, Mini Truck and Prime Mover Owners Association  Md Abdul Hashem said, the strike was announced in Dhaka centrally and trucks, covered vans and lorries have not transported goods since 6 am Wednesday. The drivers will not drive the vehicles until the amendment of the law is announced.  Transport workers organized rallies in different parts of the city in support of the strike.