Editor's Pick

Chittagong port

5 December 2006, 18:00 PM
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Z. Rahman, Gulshan, Dhaka
Apart from the consequential effect of the recent political unrest, the container terminal at Chittagong port has almost come to a standstill due to the alleged dispute regarding handling of the gantry-cranes by private sector. No one apparently seems to comprehend the seriousness of the problem entailing immense cost to our economy both in terms of stranded RMG export as well as price-hike of imported consumer goods. This serious situation starting with the rehab/modernisation plan of the port is perhaps decade-old and very rightly attributed to the intransigent attitude of the "popular" Mayor with utter indifference to national interest. This situation if allowed to continue will have far reaching deadly impact even in normal condition without any "abarodh". In fact this is a man-made obstacle arising out of egoism on the part of individual/s having no concern of national interests. The repeated fear and SOS-cry through media by all concerned organisations responsible for the vital export/import trade of the country so far failed to draw the attention of appropriate authority for any redress.

The other day I had the opportunity to go through a message from a shipping agent in Chittagong to their principal abroad which reads: "With the closure of CCT, there is no other facility for loading/unloading gearless vessels. As a result, 11 gearless vessels have now piled up at Chittagong (2 at berth and 9 waiting in the outer anchorage). These ships are counting huge losses every day in terms charter-hire, fixed operating cost and loss of earnings as well. At the same time, consignees for the cargoes on board these ships are looking at huge financial losses, as there are raw materials and accessories for the garment industries, which are urgently required to meet the deadlines for winter fashions in the west. More than 6000 TEUs containers are currently held on board the subject vessels. All efforts on the part of CPA and Bangladesh Steamer Agents Association failed to resolve the deadlock. There is no alternative available to ease the situation ".

The above picture with the prevailing state of affairs is causing consternation in shipping circle of Singapore and elsewhere abroad, which is bound to give us a worst image for trade/industry worldwide with consequence of incalculable economic losses for every one in the long run. In the past use of armed forces to deal with emergency in port right from the early days of our independence had been a practice and it is again time to consider similar measure now to save the impending disaster. With due regards for the political cause, there is no relevance to this deadlock with the present turmoil. This is an honest opinion without any prejudice to the issue in any respect.

Google News LinkFor all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.

Authority must act on war footing now in consideration of the magnitude and dimension of the crisis since there is no way we can allow our isolation from international trade.
Click to comment