CHITTAGONG, Oct 22: Unusual delay in un-stuffing and delivery of imported raw materials under the less container load (LCL) system is severely hampering export of readymade garments (RMG), apparel makers and trade body leaders have said.
The RMG exporters said un-stuffing of the LCL containers was taking 18-20 days per consignment and the full load containers (FCL) 6-7 days.
The Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) takes 10-12 days extra in the un-stuffing and delivery of the LCL containers. Due to this unusual delay the exporters sometimes face cancellation of export orders apart the stock-lot of export consignments.
Garment exporters said that import of raw materials through LCL containers went up in the recent months. But ships carrying LCL containers are berthed only at the CCT (Chittagong Container Terminal) of the port, from where the berth operator cannot make timely delivery and un-stuffing due to its limitations.
"If the LCL containers are berthed at other jetties of general container berths (GCBs) and CCT berths, the un-stuffing and delivery will be faster. We urge the concerned authority to berth LCL containers at the CCT and GCBs," said the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) in its letter to the chairman of the Chittagong Port Authority on Wednesday.
In the letter BGMEA director Syed Nazrul Islam said that LCL import cargoes increased over the months compared to FCL import cargoes.
"A good number of RMG exporters are bringing raw materials through LCL containers. They are facing problems with delivery of the cargoes on time and resultantly the possibility of cancellation of export orders," he said.
The Container Freight Stations (CFS), where the LCL containers are stored, were also lacking adequate skilled workforce, container movers and other handling equipment, he said. He urged the CPA to announce other sheds as CFS for un-stuffing the LCL containers for smooth delivery of the raw materials imported for the apparel sector.
In another letter addressed to the CPA chairman, Chittagong Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CMCCI) vice president AM Mahbub Chowdhury said the garment exporters alleged that they were facing hazards like unusual delay-10 to 12 days extra-for getting their cargoes delivered.
He urged the CPA chairman to take note of the sufferings of the readymade garment (RMG) exporters and take necessary steps so that import consignments through LCL containers are delivered smoothly to the consignees.
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