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CTMS operation in peril

October 16, 2011 00:00:00


Jasim Uddin Haroon The government intervention has allegedly put the operation of the much-hyped Container Terminal Management System (CTMS) in peril, sources said. Senior port officials said they were asked by the commerce and finance ministries to 'consider the demand of the apparel makers'. The clothing manufacturers want to make delay in incorporating themselves with the system. They also said both the ministries asked them to ensure the interest of the clothing makers. The Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) however launched CTMS partially on a test basis last week. "How will we go full-fledged keeping the major stakeholder outside the system," said a port official, preferring anonymity. Presently, CPA has commissioned the system in four out of its ten container jetties. The apparel makers, the 40 per cent user of Chittagong port, remained outside the new system, which may reduce the port's turnaround time significantly and ensure a hassle-free port operation. CTMS project director Khairul Mustafa told the FE: "We're expecting to launch the system fully towards the end of November." Bills are now being prepared manually, as the electronic billing system, one of the major modules, remains suspended for the time being, he added. He hinted that entire import will be brought under the system within this month (October). Mr Mustafa said Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) will sit in mid-November with the CPA on whether they are ready to join the system or not. The apparel sector wants delay in commissioning the system on the ground that they will have to send their export cargoes to the yards of the port 24 hours ahead of arrival of the vessel concerned at the jetty. They pointed out that arrival of export cargoes from Dhaka and its adjoining areas before 24 hours is uncertain due to poor infrastructure facilities. Port officials said the CTMS will help increase the port's handling capacity by about 50 per cent while the turnaround time will be reduced and the businesses will be freed from hassles and will enjoy the optimum utilisation of cargo handling equipment. The businesses are now going through a staggering 24 steps of documentation of import cargoes, which will cease to exist with implementation of the CTMS apart from having a clear picture of their import containers well ahead from their offices online, port officials said. The initiative to set up CTMS at the country's main seaport was taken in 2004, but the authorities failed to implement the system on various grounds including non-cooperation from the BGMEA, sources said. Earlier CPA missed at least five deadlines, port officials said. The CPA is implementing the CTMS project at a cost of Tk 380 million funded by Manila-based lender, ADB. The US-based Navis, which has provided its CTMS technology to around 70 per cent ports globally, is providing software, while ST Info of Singapore is supplying the devices and other materials for the project. Psion Teklogis of Canada is working on networking, while local software company DataSoft has been engaged for its maintenance for a period of five years.

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