CPA starts crackdown on syndicate, monopoly practice at Ctg port

CHATTOGRAM, Nov 20: Chairman of the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) Rear Admiral SM Moniruzzaman revealed that efforts are underway to eliminate the syndicate system and monopoly practices at the port.

As part of the crackdown, 23 licences of operators had been cancelled over allegations of malpractices after the July revolution, he said at a view-exchange meeting with journalists on Tuesday.

The CPA chairman also revealed plans to open up terminal operations to international operators through a competitive tendering process.

Terming the Bay Terminal an important addition to the Chittagong port, he said, "We have to complete it as soon as possible."

About a Panama-flagged vessel carrying goods from Pakistan, the CPA chairman said the 'Yuan Xiang Fa Zhan' berthed at Chittagong Port recently after departing from Dubai.

The vessels generally follow a regular route that includes stops at Jebel Ali Port in Dubai, Karachi Port, Chittagong Port, Indonesia, Port Klang in Malaysia, and Munda Port in India, he said.

This vessel sailed from Dubai port and loaded goods from Karachi port for the first time, he added.

He also said that the import of Pakistani goods through Dubai is a longstanding practice, with many ships from the Dubai port transporting Pakistani goods to Bangladesh.

The CPA chairman said Chittagong Port is on track to become a smart, modern international seaport.

"The quality and capacity of Chittagong Port are improving daily, much like other leading ports around the world," he said.

"We are working to enhance service quality, expand port areas, and develop new sea routes as part of modernisation efforts."

Rear Admiral Moniruzzaman also highlighted the progress of the much-anticipated 'Deep Sea Port' project at Matarbari in Cox's Bazar. "The work on the dream project is going on in full swing. We have already taken steps to acquire land for the second phase of the deep sea port."

In addition to the Matarbari project, the CPA is focused on a range of initiatives to elevate Chittagong Port to international standards.

"We have taken steps for automation of Chittagong port activities. And the CPA has already extended the port limit from 7 nautical miles (NM) to 62 NM," the CPA chairman said.

"These developments will make Chittagong Port one of the most modern and competitive seaports in the world," he added.

Among others, CPA Members Md Shahidul Alam, Habibur Rahman, M Fazlar Rahman and Secretary Omar Faruk also spoke at the meeting.

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