SAIF Powertec: On a par with the world in port operation

The Multi-Purpose Berth (MPB) of the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) is aimed at increasing productivity of the Chittagong Port by handling containers 2/3 times the normal pace. Own cranes are used for handling the containers from ships at a competitive cost like the ports in neighbouring countries. Thus the seaport has become one of the most modern ports in the region.

The MPB currently has four Mitsubishi Brand Rail Mounted Quay Gantry Cranes (QGCs) at the Chittagong Container Terminal (CCT). M/S. Sumitomo Corporation, the supplier of the four Rail Mounted Quay Gantry Cranes (QGCs), is responsible for their repair and maintenance along with the supply of spare parts for up to three years.

The berth was opened on a commercial basis on January 30 2006. At that time the cranes were operated by CPA's own operators. Due to the CPA operators' inexperience, the average container handling by the four QGCs was not more than 10-11 per hour. This is about one-third of the minimum handling capacity of the cranes. As a result, the CCT productivity had been much lower than the target. The Chittagong Port began to be ranked as an inefficient port in the national and international media. Labour unions and unskilled operators used to call unnecessary strikes at the port from time to time. So, the importers could not take delivery of their products on time. As a result, the price of their imported consumer goods would increase in the local market.

Domestic and foreign stakeholders did not receive timely supply of imported raw materials. At that time (before 2007) the average stay of a ship was 10-12 days. As the average position of the vessels increased, the operational cost almost doubled. So, foreign ship owners had to pay extra duty, and a negative impression was created in the outside world about port handling in Bangladesh. The average container stay at that time was 25-26 days.

But the MPB has changed it all. The MPB currently charges a fixed rate per box for container handling by the Quay gantry cranes installed at the CCT. As the Quay Gantry crane operation by the CPA operator did not achieve the expected level of productivity, an initiative was taken to hire a private operator through an open tender process as per instructions of the ministry concerned. In this situation a meeting was held in 2006. CPA officials, CBA leaders, business leaders and other port users attended the meeting under the chairmanship of the then-minister for shipping to discuss how to increase productivity of the Quay gantry cranes. In the meeting, several important points were highlighted to increase productivity at the CCT. It was identified that the CCT required skilled operators to operate the Quay gantry cranes to increase productivity. So the SAIF Powertec has been engaged in maintenance, repair and operation of the Quay gantry cranes. It gives SAIF Powertec the opportunity to engage skilled and experienced operators to handle the cranes. In addition, if another organisation takes the responsibility for crane operation, there may be inconsistencies and the gantry cranes may not be handled properly.

In 2007, only the gantry crane operation was handled by SAIF Powertec, dock labour was handled on and off the ship, trailer delivery was handled by another company, yard operation was handled by a CPA operator, container location was handled by another company, un-staffing of container cargo was managed by merchant workers, etc.

This resulted in a lack of coordination in the entire port operation process and caused various complications. The desired level of terminal operations could not be reached. Later, in March 2007, following a political changeover, a meeting was held in presence of joint forces. Based on the opinions of the CPA and port users and with the advice and support of the joint forces, the meeting decided to bring the CCT and its extended area under an integrated operation process to make the port a modern and dynamic one.

Based on the decision, the SAIF Powertec hired experienced and skilled officers and employees from advanced ports of the world and opened the MPB at the CCT on March 7 2007 to build it as an international standard terminal. SAIF Powertec operations at the CCT have increased productivity and generated additional revenue for the port.

Besides, after SAIF Powertec's takeover of the integrated operation of CCT, the container storage yards were completely rebranded like international ports and the container storage area was converted to modern and advanced terminal yards of the world. After that, automatic digital tracking of container position through mobile SMS was introduced. As a result, the location of the container could be detected just in a few minutes. This has cut waste of time and money. Later on, it was brought under CTMS, most of which is managed by SAIF Powertec. Also, the introduction of containerised cargo emerges as a new and improved model of delivery. It ensures orderly delivery of goods from containers and bribery, corruption, harassment and delay at the terminal have stopped. It reduces the consignees' waste of time and money and the people as a whole get the immense benefit of it.

In order to increase the container storage space and mobility at the CCT, a task force was formed at the port training centre in 2007. Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Bangladesh Master Stevedores Association, Bangladesh Shipping Agents Association, C&F Agents Association and Bangladesh Inland Container Depot Association (BICDA) were present along with senior officials of CPA. As per the decision of the meeting, the berth operator system was introduced with effect from May 16 2007. As a result, 12 operators were assigned for 12 berths (six container berths and six cargo berths) at the GCB and a terminal operator of CCT for NCT-1 and NCT-2 berths. As the NCT-1 and NCT-2 berths are adjacent to the CCT, the assignment of CCT operator SAIF Powertec to the extended area will increase the speed of operations and make the terminal run smoothly and efficiently. As such, a decision was taken by the then government to bring the container handling activities of NCT-1and NCT-2 under an integrated operation as an extended area of CCT in order to increase the capacity and efficiency of the container handling operations. In that sequence, SAIF Powertec has emerged as a proud partner in the country's economic development and the only international standard terminal operator in Bangladesh. As a result, the revenue of the port as well as the country increases at a high rate. From that time to July 2024 SAIF Powertec handled more than 20 million TEUs of containers. Many terminal operators in the world have no record of handling such a large number of containers. Human resources of international standard are being produced from this institution, due to which, SAIF Powertec is competing to operate terminals outside the country. Besides, SAIF Powertec has efficiently managed the terminal operation. The average stay of a ship was 10-12 days in 2007. In the fiscal year 2023-24 the average stood at 2 to 2.5 days. This greatly reduces the cost of import and export. All the people of Bangladesh are enjoying the benefits of it.

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