Office Address
123/A, Miranda City Likaoli Prikano, Dope
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+0989 7876 9865 9
+(090) 8765 86543 85
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info@example.com
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123/A, Miranda City Likaoli Prikano, Dope
+0989 7876 9865 9
+(090) 8765 86543 85
info@example.com
example.mail@hum.com
Vessels are facing unusually
long stays at the General Cargo Berth (GCB) terminal of the Chattogram port as
berth operators reportedly continue to adopt a go-slow tactic in container
handling operations amidst a feud with shipping agents. The issue arose earlier
this month centring a longstanding conflict between shipping agents, who
represent vessel operators, and six berth operators over the latter’s proposal
to raise onboard container handling charges.
Since
2007, these berth operators have been managing the six container jetties at the
GCB, the port’s oldest terminal, where geared vessels are handled. The disruption worsened over the past week,
with at least three vessels apparently experiencing delays in the unloading of
import-laden containers and loading of export-laden ones.
Shipping agents alleged that
berth operators are not providing enough trailers alongside vessels to
transport containers between the vessels and the yards, significantly slowing
down handling operations.
They also said the operators have stopped their longstanding practice of
sending export loading plans to private off-docks, alongside processing import
discharge and export permissions from the Chittagong Port Authority’s (CPA)
shipping section.
As
a result, shipping agents’ staff are now performing these tasks, leading to
further delays. Shipping agents currently pay berth operators Tk 559.53 per
container for onboard handling, including loading and unloading. The berth
operators earlier this month demanded a $5 increase in the onboard handling
rate per container, but shipping agents opposed the move.
The Berth Operators,
Ship-Handling Operators, and Terminal Operators’ Owners’ Association, said they
have not increased the onboard handling rate since 2007. But rising operational
costs have made it impossible to continue at the previous rate. Denying the allegation of
slowing down operations, they claimed they were handling containers at the
usual pace.
Leaders
of Bangladesh Container Shipping Association (BCSA) met with senior port officials
on January 15 to express their concerns over the slowdown in operations at the
GCB. The port officials called on the
leaders of the berth operators association at that meeting, where berth
operators urged for raising the onboard handling rate.
However, the BCSA leaders refused to discuss
the issue at the meeting, saying that the issue was not included in the
meeting’s agenda.
