This port auctions more than 7,000 container cargoes and doubles the storage fee to reduce the pressure on the yard!
This port auctions more than 7,000 container cargoes and doubles the storage fee to reduce the pressure on the yard!
The largest port in Bangladesh-Chittagong, known as "the world's first congestion", due to the approach of Ramadan, a large number of imported goods are influx and importers have not picked up the goods in time. Containers have begun to accumulate in Chittagong, making the congestion worse!
In February, the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) was worried about congestion in the future and asked importers to quickly pick up and shipped the goods and warned that the storage fee would double on the 12th day after the container was unloaded from the ship. (Link to read: Congestion! Chittagong Port is tight! It takes 21 days to transfer to Colombo, it is recommended to choose an alternative route)
However, the warning obviously had no effect. On March 2, CPA decided to adjust the rate again from March 8.
Chittagong Customs began to auction about 1,050 tons of unclaimed abandoned goods worth 450 million taka at the end of February. Furniture, plastic products, hand sanitizer, fish and other foods are also included in the auction list.
It is also worth noting that if the importer has not picked up the goods within 30 days after arrival at the port, the customs will initiate the auction of the goods.
The slow delivery of cargo has led to an increase in the number of containers in the port, and the utilization rate of the yard in the port is close to full capacity.
In the face of global equipment shortages, Chittagong Customs and Port Authority have recently started to take action to deal with uncollected containers to improve container utilization and storage space.
Due to the failure of the importer to pick up the goods, 298 containers of nearly 6000 tons of perishable goods were stranded in the port and the yard outside the terminal.
Faisal bin Rahman, deputy director of the Customs Auction Office, said that the authorities will bury the goods to make room in the Chittagong port and warehouses, which will take 10 days to complete.
In general, about 7,379TEU of container cargo will be auctioned for this operation.
Shipping agents said that the latest move will allow about 300 containers to re-enter the market.
The Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) has the right to auction containers loaded with cargo within 45 days after unloading. After that, CPA handed over such containers to the customs department, which is responsible for auctioning and disposing of rotten or expired goods.
Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic last year, shipping companies have been plagued by equipment shortages.
Due to the lack of 40-foot tall cabinets, Bangladesh's export market is particularly hampered. Shipping companies tried to solve the problem of equipment shortages by importing empty containers, but this resulted in increased costs.
Through this initiative, Yangming Shipping has received 163 containers, 60 MSC, 22 Maersk, and 19 Continental Trades.
Mohammad Ahsanuzzaman, deputy director of Transmarine Logistics, the local agent of Yangming Shipping, said that the initiative to dispose of long-term idle/rotted cargo containers has greatly reduced the burden on carriers operating in Bangladesh.
The agent said: “The consignee’s failure to pick up the goods not only harms the interests of the carrier, but (they) occupy the most valuable yard space, putting pressure on space management during peak seasons.”
"Some containers date back many years and eventually become unusable. This is a loss for the carrier, even after the goods are destroyed."
"But the re-commissioning of these containers will definitely benefit airlines across Asia that have been short of equipment for six months."
