The Chittagong Port Authority has asked the shipping agents to remove reefer containers to off docks from port yards within 48 hours the goods are un-stuffed.
The shipping agents are also asked to supply adequate reefer containers to frozen foods and shrimp exporters, as their shipment is seriously hampered due to the lack of refrigerated boxes.
The order came as Bangladesh’s commerce and fisheries ministry expressed concern over the non-availability of required reefer containers for the shipment of frozen fish.
Frozen fish and shrimps are among the major export items of Bangladesh which bring handsome foreign currency for the South Asian nation. United States, European Union and Japan are the main markets of Bangladeshi frozen fishes and shrimps that are mainly containerised from Khulna division in the south.
The port authority at the same time has asked the off dock owners to send normal empty containers to the vessel hook points to quickly send them to other destinations in line with the requirements of mainline vessel operators and the non vessel operating common carriers (NVOCC).
In a letter to the Bangladesh Inland Container Depots Association (BICDA) last week the port authority said the number of empty containers at the off docks has increased significantly while the outgoing vessels are not getting adequate empty containers at hook points.
The authority further said the off docks are not sending adequate empty boxes at hook point despite repeated reminders are given thus vessels leave jetties with lower number of containers than their actual load capacity.
The authority asked the off dock owners to provide required logistics support to carry the empty containers to the port yards for re-shipment.
Sharar Nayel
Bangladesh Correspondent
