The Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) has urged the parties concerned to quickly take delivery of containerised cargoes lying undelivered to ensure a smooth supply chain of goods and commodities.
The CPA in a letter, issued on Tuesday, said at least 42,608 TEUs of FCL (full container load) boxes remained undelivered at port terminals, thereby affecting loading-unloading activities adversely.
FCL means goods from a single shipper occupy the entire container.
Several thousand LCL (less than container load) boxes have also remained undelivered on port premises only to impact cargo movement at freight stations, reads the letter.
LCL is used when a single shipper's goods do not completely fill an entire container.
When this happens, space in a container is split between orders and/or shippers in order to fill the entire container. Then they use port freight stations.
According to the CPA, the boxes contain goods, including industrial raw materials and frozen foods, which are believed to be key components for both commodity market and industry.
It urged importers to take delivery of cargoes as most of the boxes expired four days' free storage time.
Imported goods now enjoy a four-day free storage period at port yards.
"Now, we're urging [importers] to take quick delivery, otherwise the management may impose penal rents," said an official at the CPA traffic department on the day.
He alleged that many importers keep their cargoes at the port with ill motives.
The official further said that the port is open round the clock and even during public holidays.
However, when contacted, a number of importers told the FE that many are taking time to take delivery as the demand for some goods remained poor after Eid vacation.
jasimharoon@yahoo.com
