Ships wait at Ctg outer anchorage, other ports

CHATTOGRAM, Feb 07: Coronavirus is affecting the maritime trade in Bangladesh as well as elsewhere in the world.
The ships sailing from China are waiting at the outer anchorage of Chattogram port as well as at other ports in the world, sources involved with maritime trade said.
The Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) took preventive measures so that the ships and the seamen and crews of the ships pose no risk.
Sources said around 80 per cent of export and import in the world are taking place through sea routes. Of the 10 busiest container ports in the world, seven are in China. China's ports are very well equipped and connectivity of these ports with other ports is very smooth.
Sources said at least 20 ships from China used to come to the Chattogram port per month regularly. Of the total imports of Bangladesh, 35 per cent goods are being imported from China. Bangladesh used to import fibre , cotton, clothes, machinery, electronic goods, cosmetics, etc from China regularly.
Bangladesh imported goods worth around $15.0billion (1500 crore) from China per year. On the other hand, Bangladesh exported goods worth around $3.0 billion (300 crore) to China per year.
One ship from China reached the Chattogram port on Wednesday last and the captain of the ship submitted all documents to ensure that there was none affected by the coronavirus, said sources in the CPA.
Mohammed Omar Faruk, secretary of CPA, said, "CPA has taken all necessary measures against any spread of the coronavirus. CPA is very alert to the 'coronavirus'. The CPA is screening the seamen and crews who are coming from China by ships from last month. A medical team led by the Chattogram Divisional Health Officer has been deployed at the seaport for screening the seamen who are coming from China. Besides, CPA has formed a fulltime medical team by its own physicians and specialists in this regard. The team found no one affected by the 'coronavirus".
"The ships which are coming from China are giving us the documents in this regard. They are undergoing screening at many ports and the documents are being verified by our special team. We have a system to separate the coronavirus-affected seamen from others. Besides, we have also a sea ambulance to move the coronavirus-affected patients to hospital," he added.
He also said, "Several feeder ships from China will likely arrive at the port this month. We have all precautionary measures for the ships. So, there is nothing to be worried about."
On the other hand, the shipping companies in Bangladesh are very concerned over the situation now.
The ships which went to China cannot enter the Chattogram port as the crews and seamen are not declared coronavirus-free.
Talking with the executives of the shipping companies, it was known that the Maersk, MSC, Hapag Lloyd, CMA, CGM and such big shipping companies have already reduced the movement of their ships to China and Hong Kong. Besides, ships which carry goods and containers from China could not berth at the port now.
Of the ships which carry goods and containers for Bangladesh are waiting at other ports abroad, said the executives of a shipping company preferring anonymity.
Mahabubul Alam, president of Chattogram Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), said, "The Chattogram seaport and Chattogram Shah Amanat International Airport are alert to the coronavirus scare now. We have to keep the supply chains of goods and containers regularly. We have to ensure the entrance of ships regularly. There is no record of stopping any shipment of businessmen in Bangladesh due to the coronavirus. There is no scope to increase the prices of commodities in the name of coronavirus."
"If we can take precautionary measures regarding the coronavirus, we will not be affected in Bangladesh," he added.
The airport authority has been screening the passengers who are coming from China to the Shah Amanat International Airport since January 19 last.
Sources said there is no direct flight from the Shah Amanat International Airport to China. But, there are many passengers who used to go to Middle East countries via China. So, the Chattogram Shah Amanat International Airport authority took steps for screening the passengers who are coming from China.

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