Chattogram Bureau :
Chattogram Port, the country’s main harbour, continues to face container backlogs as rail transport disruptions stall the movement of imported goods and oil to Dhaka and other parts of the country.
Additionally, export containers from Dhaka could not be transported to the port via train either, causing financial losses to exporters and importers alike, according to traders and shipping agents.
Around 3 per cent of containers from the port are transported by rail to the state-run Kamalapur inland container depot (ICD) in Dhaka, with fuel oil also distributed by rail across the country, said Chittagong Port Yard sources.
However, rail transport of goods from the port was halted on 18 July due to the ongoing quota reform protest, clashes and curfew.
Chittagong Port officials, shipping agents and C&F agents said the yard can store 825 (TEUs) containers which are bound for Dhaka ICD via trains.
Between 19 and 30 July, some 1,596 TEU of import containers meant for Kamalapur ICD remain stalled at Chittagong Port due to suspended rail services. Additionally, at least 500 TEU of export cargo containers could not be transported from Dhaka ICD to Chittagong Port.
“While cargo transport by train resumed on 1 August, it remains limited, and train movement is still being disrupted at many points towards the capital,” said Abdul Malek, chief yard master of Chittagong Goods Port Yard. According to Chittagong Goods Port Yard, four container trains normally travel from the yard to Dhaka ICD, along with three oil trains to Dhaka Cantonment, Sylhet, Sreemangal, and Rangpur. However, all train services were halted due to the unrest.
Port data shows, on 2 August, 100 TEU of import containers were transported by rail from Chittagong Port to Dhaka ICD. Additionally, around 30 export containers arrived at the port from Dhaka. Around 88,507 TEU of containers were transported from Chittagong Port to Kamalapur ICD during FY24, averaging 243 containers per day. Port city is returning to normal after the mass uprising, students perform as traffic Chattogram Bureau: After the popular uprising, public life in Chittagong city has started to return to normal. Despite the increase in the number of office-goers on the road, public transport was less than other days.
