Store some import cargos at private depots to decongest Ctg port: NBR

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) today issued two separate orders allowing more import goods to be stored at the 19 private inland container depots (ICDs) and asking that Dhaka ICD-bound import containers be temporarily shifted to a river terminal at Munshiganj.

The steps are being taken in a bid to solve acute container congestion at Chattogram port.

The number of import load containers lying at the port reached 47,044 TEUs (twenty feet equivalent units) today, over 25 percent above the capacity of 37,620 TEUs.

At least 33 container vessels are now waiting at the outer anchorage having failed to berth on time, reports our Chattogram correspondent.

The NBR, in an office order signed by its Second Secretary (Customs Policy) Mohammad Mehraj Ul Alam Samrat, gave permission to send and store six more types of import goods at the 19 private ICDs, known as off docks, till June 30.

Currently 38 types of imported goods-laden containers are sent to the private ICDs from the port for delivery to the importers.

The newly approved goods to be sent and stored at the private ICDs include all types of seeds and fibres, goods imported by pharmaceuticals, yarn imported by manufacturing firms, tyre cord, insecticide, fungicide and herbicide, the order stated.

NBR also issued a gazette directing that the import containers bound for Kamalapur Inland Container Depot (ICD) be sent from Chattogram port to the river terminal of Summit Alliance Port Limited (SAPL) at Moktarpur in Munshiganj, from where the cargo would be delivered after assessment till June 30.

Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) Chairman Rear Admiral SM Abul Kalam Azad in an urgent coordination meeting with the port's stakeholders on April 14 proposed to shift around 15,000 TEUs of import load containers to the ICDs and 2,500 TEUs more to the river terminal in order to decongest the port.

The Shipping Ministry on April 16 sent letters to NBR requesting the approval for this.

Port users, however, remain skeptical about much the congestion will be improved as the decision of allows for shifting of imports in only six categories.

"I think this won't bring much change to decongest the port," said Ahsanul Hoque Chowdhury, chairman of Bangladesh Shipping Agents Association, adding that a good amount of raw materials imported by the garments factories and other industries are lying at the port and those need to be taken out.