Delay cargo clearance disrupts Ramadan trade

Staff Reporter :

Allegations have emerged against several importers, accusing them of stockpiling imported goods at Chittagong Port to create artificial scarcity and drive up market prices ahead of the holy month of Ramadan.

Port officials claim that some importers are deliberately delaying the release of their shipments, effectively using the port’s yards as makeshift storage facilities.

This has resulted in an artificial shortage, with approximately 40,000 Full Container Load (FCL) containers currently occupying space within the port yard and off-dock facilities.

In response, the Chittagong Port Authority has issued a stern warning, stating that if these goods-laden containers are not cleared by 9 March, a fourfold penalty will be imposed.

At present, out of the 40,089 containers stored in various yards at Chittagong Port, 31,384 are FCL containers.

Officials report that these containers, filled with imported goods, remain uncleared, severely disrupting the port’s routine operations.

Ahsan Ullah Jahedi, General Secretary of the Chaktai-Khatunganj Wholesalers Association, highlighted the port’s limitations in managing the clearance process.

He noted that the surge in imports during Ramadan has led to delays and logistical challenges, causing a backlog of goods at the port.

The congestion extends beyond the port itself, as imported FCL containers continue to accumulate at 19 off-dock facilities.

Currently, these off-docks accommodate 8,700 imported containers alongside 8,300 containers designated for export.

Ruhul Amin Sikder Biplob, Secretary-General of the Bangladesh Inland Container Depots Association (BICDA), stated, “Many importers are using Chittagong Port as a storage facility, leaving their imported goods there for 20 to 21 days.

This excessive accumulation of FCL containers is causing severe operational challenges.”

“When importers eventually attempt to retrieve their shipments, they face congestion and heavy traffic, further straining the port’s efficiency.

It is crucial to clear the backlog of containers at Chittagong Port without delay,” he added.

Chittagong Port Authority Secretary Mohammad Omar Faruk explained that importers are permitted to store goods-laden containers at the port yard for up to four days without incurring charges.

Beyond this period, a daily penalty of $6 is applied to 20-foot containers and $12 to 40-foot containers.

If the delay persists, these fines increase to $24 and $48 per day, respectively.

To address the ongoing congestion, the port authority has issued clear instructions requiring all imported goods and containers to be cleared by 9 March.

Failure to comply will result in a fourfold penalty from 10 March onwards.

Official notices regarding this directive have already been sent to the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and other port user organisations.

M Mohiuddin Chowdhury, Managing Director of Clifton Group and an importer of garment products, attributed the delays in container clearance to a shortage of customs personnel.

“The prolonged clearance process is causing financial losses for importers,” he said.

If the increased penalties take effect, importers will be required to pay $48 per day for a 20-foot container and $96 per day for a 40-foot container, significantly raising costs.