The World Shipping Council (WSC) has urged the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) to abolish its long-standing practice of requiring departing vessels to load unmanifested empty containers at short notice.
It also warned that the policy compromises vessel safety, breaches international compliance standards and exposes shipping lines to sanctions risks, sources said.
In a recent letter to CPA Chairman Rear Admiral S M Moniruzzaman, the WSC said the mandatory loading of empty containers at short notice compromises vessel safety, undermines international regulatory compliance and exposes shipping lines to potential sanctions.
The council said the practice originated as a temporary emergency measure during the severe port congestion of 2007 to free up yard space, but has continued long after the crisis ended.
According to the WSC, the continuation of the policy is inconsistent with the Chittagong Port Authority Act, 2022, under which empty containers are classified as cargo, while the ship's master retains ultimate authority over loading decisions.
The council said one of its member vessels was compelled in May this year to load unmanifested empty containers shortly before departure, leaving insufficient time to complete mandatory international sanctions screening and other compliance procedures.
It also warned that the late addition of containers disrupts carefully prepared stowage plans and vessel stability calculations required under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), increasing navigational and operational risks.
The WSC further noted that containers declared empty may still contain dunnage, chemical residues or damaged equipment, meaning their actual weight may differ from the declared tare weight, creating additional liabilities for shipmasters.
The CPA and the Bangladesh Shipping Agents Association (BSAA) held discussions on May 21, 2026, on the continued practice of "forced shipments" of empty containers and its financial and operational implications for shipping lines.
During the meeting, the CPA's Director (Traffic) maintained that the forced movement of empty containers had originally been introduced to facilitate rapid evacuation of containers from the port and therefore could not be discontinued entirely.
Industry representatives said the discussions highlighted the urgent need to replace ad hoc terminal practices with a clear, standardised and enforceable port-wide framework to safeguard carrier operations.
While acknowledging the port's challenge in managing yard congestion, the WSC said the issue should be addressed through a predictable and collaborative mechanism rather than through last-minute loading instructions.
It recommended introducing an advance planning system under which empty containers would be allocated to pre-approved vessels, allowing carriers sufficient time to complete compliance checks and incorporate the cargo into digital stowage plans.
The council also proposed establishing a formal empty-container repositioning quota system to ease yard congestion in a more predictable and transparent manner.
In addition, it expressed its willingness to participate in a joint workshop involving the CPA and the BSAA to develop a transparent and standardised port-wide solution.
A source familiar with the matter said the WSC had also copied the letter to the Ministry of Shipping, the Ministry of Finance and the National Board of Revenue (NBR).
Contacted by The Financial Express, a CPA official confirmed receipt of the letter but declined to comment on whether the port authority had taken any steps in response.
The practice of "forced empty container loading" at the CPA requires departing vessels to carry designated empty containers to ease yard congestion, often at short notice and outside their original loading plans.
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