Cargo handling satisfactory, claims CPA

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CHITTAGONG, Nov 13: Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) has said cargo handling and delivery in the port remain quite satisfactory and the vessels' average stay-time continues between two and a half days to three days.
They said loading, unloading and delivery works in the port will continue during the five day vacation of the holy Eid-ul-Azha except for eight hours from 8.00 am to 4.00 pm on the main festival day.
CPA secretary Syed Farhad Uddin said this while briefing on the port situation in CPA board room Saturday noon. Major Shahriar Morshed, in charge of the army contingent deployed in the port, also spoke on the occasion.
Major Shahriar said that the government deployed the army to cooperate the workers in the port activities. "So it is the government which thinks how long they will be there," he said.
Around 350 armed personnel were deployed in the port on October 13 last when the port activities partially collapsed as the dock workers declined to work directly under the private berth operators employed by the CPA through prolonged process of open tender.
Port secretary said the port is functioning very well and with full satisfaction for the last one month in the general berths following deployment of the army from October 13 last.
"There is no work disruption anywhere in the port area even after lifting section 144 last week, nor any incidents of pilferage or theft of cargo inside the port," Farhad said.
Activities in the river moorings, specialised berths of CCT and NCT and outer anchorage of the port are also running smoothly, he added.
Over the last two weeks 15 hundred thousand metric tons (MT) of break bulk cargo were handled in the general berths, river moorings, CCT and NCT and at the outer anchorage. 5000 TEUs containers have been offloaded and 2000 TEUs containers delivered at the same period.
"Currently there is no container or vessels' jam, neither any untoward situation, nor any disruption in the regular functioning. The dock workers and employees have been paid off their salary and Eid bonus as well."
Port secretary said that recently the authority has added two more berths for break bulk cargo ships as arrival of bulk cargo ships with food grains has increased. "Average stay-time of ships remains between two and a half days and three days."
"Although the port has 10 container handling jetties and six bulk cargo jetties we have arranged berthing of two more bulk cargo ships at a time in the container berths to facilitate quick handling of imported food grains," he said.
Vessels' position stated in the CPA statistics as on November 13 shows that there are 73 ships in the jetties, moorings and outer anchorage of which work is going on in 51 ships.
2219 containers were delivered on 11 November and 1457 on the 12th from the port.
He said that tender has been floated for capital dredging in the Karnafuli River and 11 pre-qualified bidders are expected to submit their quotations within November 30.
"The CPA has expedited its move for capital dredging and expects to award contract for the same at the earliest so that the dredging starts in January 2011," Farhad said.
Regarding workers' welfare in the port Farhad said the 5-member committee headed by CPA engineer Khairul Mostafa has submitted its recommendations. The port authority is verifying them and will take necessary steps for the welfare of the workers, he concluded.