The customs authority has served a show-cause notice to the BM Container Depot in a bid to suspend or cancel its licence - following eight-point findings of an investigation committee regarding varipus irregularities.
The depot, among the top-five large inland container depots (ICDs) in the Chattogram Port, has been accused of violating the ICD policy and other relevant orders of the customs along with not ensuring proper precautionary measures.
Earlier, a total of 51 people were killed and over 200 injured in a deadly fire and massive explosion that took place in it on June 4. The Custom House, Chattogram formed the investigation committee on June 5.
The custom house served the show-cause notice on September 15, asking the depot authorities to respond in written by next 30 days on why its licence would not be suspended or cancelled.
The customs commissioner also requested the authorities to respond, if they want to attend a personal hearing.
In case of not getting any response, the customs authority would dispose the matter as per the Customs Act 1969, the notice said.
Currently, the BM Container Depot is operating partially amid several restrictions of the customs authority under the National Board of Revenue (NBR). The authority allowed the depot to handle empty containers under a temporary and conditional permission from August 22.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Inland Container Depot Association (BICDA) President Nurul Quyuum said the BM Container Depot is one of the largest among the 19 off-docks, operating in Chattogram, which is facing restriction of customs due to the accident.
Suspension or cancelation of licence may create supply chain disruption, as the depot used to handle a large volume of goods, he noted.
Currently, some 19 off-docks in the seaport handle all export goods and 38 import goods.
Mr Qayuum also said each of the off-dock requires a large amount of investment, and non-operation of a large ICD would put the investment at stake.
The customs report, submitted to the high-ups on August 24, said the depot preserved containers of hydrogen peroxide of the Al-Razi Chemical Complex Ltd, an export-oriented company, despite not having the UN standard.
As the exporter and the depot are under the same ownership, the Al-Razi Chemical used the depot's open space as godown and kept the chemical there for long without shipment after customs assessment. The depot did not inform the customs authority about the matter.
The container depot did not follow the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) policy on handling and container preserving of inflammable chemicals like hydrogen peroxide.
The depot did not give right information to the fire service personnel that presence of chemical products was the cause of the fire incident. Even, the depot did not have sufficient fire safety system and fire hydrant inside.
It also lacked fast-aid treatment facility and security system as per the International Ship and Port Facilities (ISPS).
Despite several attempts, the BM Container representatives could not be contacted over phone for their comments regarding the issue.
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