Ctg port expands container storage capacity by 10pc

CHATTOGRAM, Aug 22: Chittagong port, the prime sea port of the country, expanded its container storage capacity by nearly 10 per cent recently as a measure to address severe congestion.

Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) Secretary Md Omar Faruk said, "CPA is declaring an increase in capacity by 5,482 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) amid concerns about container congestion. CPA is regularly expanding yards, sheds, etc. as part of capacity expansion. Several yards have been renovated in the last year and new yards are being constructed."

He said, "New yards have already been constructed in the areas of the old auction yard, car storage area, baggage shed, X-Y shed, etc. With the expansion of these yards along with the old 53,518 TEU capacity, the current capacity of Chittagong port has increased to about 59,000 TEUs. Therefore, it is now possible to store more containers at Chittagong port than before." Operational activities of Chittagong port are being completed smoothly so far with the recent storage of about 47,000-48,000 TEUs of containers, he added.

"Earlier, 10 container ships were handled at Chittagong port on average every day. Currently, up to 12-13 container ships are being handled. This is reducing the lead time for exports," he added.

He said, "Several more yard constructions will be completed this year, increasing the container storage capacity of Chittagong port to about 62,000 TEU. Due to sufficient yard capacity, about 6,000 TEU of export-oriented containers are currently being pre-stacked at the Chittagong port yard. However, due to the locomotive shortage of Bangladesh Railway, the volume of containers bound for Dhaka ICD (Inland Container Depot) has increased, which is being normalised through constant communication with Bangladesh Railway. Moreover, about 10,000 containers are waiting auction. Including these, 10,000 and 2,000 from Dhaka ICD, there are about 12,000 containers more than normal."

He also said, "Currently, the waiting time of ships at outer anchorage has come down to 0-2 days. The average ship turn-around time is currently 2.58 days."

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