BGMEA contemplates own off-dock at Sitakunda

FE Team | Published: September 22, 2007 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00

Jasim Uddin Haroon
The Bangladesh Garment Manufactures and Exporters Association (BGMEA) might create an off-dock facility at Sitakunda, Chittagong so that the readymade garments (RMG) export consignments can be shipped out promptly.
Currently, there are 12 off-docks being operated by private companies in the country engaged in stuffing and emptying of containers but their capacity is over-stretched.
The private off-docks have been facing problems in handling large number of both import and export cargoes resulting in congestion during the last few months.
The BGMEA's plan to construct their own off-dock would enable them to avoid the congestion and ship the consignments on time which is of utmost importance to overseas buyers, sources said.
BGMEA has already earmarked an area of 16.19 hectares owned by Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) in Sitakunda, Chittagong for constructing the private inland container depot (ICD).
"We have already placed our proposal to the Ministry of Industries for lease of BCIC land located at Sitakunda in Chittagong," said acting president of the BGMEA MA Salam.
He also said the BGMEA had several meetings with the Industries Ministry in this connection.
He said BGMEA has chosen the site as it is an industrial plot and already has some required infrastructure.
The proposed off-dock will be able to provide storage for around 13,000 containers at a time besides adequate warehousing facilities, BGMEA sources said.
Currently, Esack Brothers located near Chittagong port is the largest private off-dock in the country and is able to store 8525 containers at a time.
BGMEA acting president said at least two years will be needed to complete the construction of the terminal although some infrastructure facilities are already there.
He also said: "We want to add an extra facility to the existing facilities".
Sources at the BGMEA said that members will not be forced to use to the terminal and they will be using other options as they opt for.