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Direct container ship motion from Bangladesh to Europe by way of Chattogram port has opened a brand new horizon within the export-import commerce of the nation, mentioned Rear Admiral M Shahjahan, chairman of Chattogram Port Authority (CPA).
In an interview with The Enterprise Commonplace, he mentioned that not too long ago a container ship has arrived at Chattogram port from the Port of Civitavecchia, Italy which has opened the door for direct container delivery from Bangladesh to Europe.
He talked in regards to the document success of the port in attaining constructive development in container dealing with, cargo dealing with and ship dealing with in 2021 regardless of the Covid-19 pandemic.
He mentioned the port was totally operational with none disruption and container and delivery congestion through the pandemic whereas many ports world wide struggled.
M Shahjahan thanked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her instruction to run the port maintaining concentrate on each life and livelihood through the pandemic.
He additionally talked in regards to the progress, challenges and plans of Chattogram port for the longer term. The interview was taken by Shahadat Hossain Chowdhury.
TBS: Chattogram port achieved constructive development even within the troublesome time of Covid-19 exceeding all of the earlier information. How did that occur?
Rear Admiral M Shahjahan: The Prime Minister had instructed to function the port specializing in each life and livelihood. We tried to implement these tips. That’s the reason the Chattogram port has achieved document success in all areas together with container dealing with, cargo dealing with, ship arrivals and turnaround time in 2021.
The operational actions of the port have been in full swing throughout this time because of the focus, planning and arduous work of the port officers in coordination with the stakeholders. We saved the entire port operational with minimal manpower although the operations in several ports in several nations have been stopped.
Who do you suppose performed the important thing roles in these achievements?
All of the officers and workers of the port saved their actions right here 100% operational through the pandemic risking lives. We saved the state of affairs regular with the assistance of all of the stakeholders associated to the port. Nonetheless, we now have misplaced 53 workers whereas attempting to maintain the port operational. Quite a few officers and workers have additionally been contaminated by the virus.
Moreover the port officers and workers, all forms of port employees, delivery brokers, C&F brokers, freight forwarders, terminal operators, berth and ship dealing with operators additionally had a job to play. All of the organisations involved together with the Navy and Coast Guard, District Administration, Freeway Police, Customs, BGMEA, Chattogram Chamber, FBCCI had general cooperation to maintain the port actions working.
On account of uninterrupted ship berthing on the port, turnaround time and ready time have been decreased. The fastened working prices, constitution rent fees and insurance coverage premiums for ocean-going ships have additionally come down. Totally different ports on the planet imposed container surcharges on account of congestion however Chattogram port didn’t have to try this as there was no muddle of ships or containers right here. This has saved loads of international forex.
In accordance with a report by Singapore-based worldwide piracy watchdog ReCAAP, there have been no incidents of theft in 2021 within the outer anchorage of Chattogram port. The credit score goes to our Navy Coast Guard and Port Safety for this.
Are there any initiatives to extend the connectivity of the Chattogram port with the developed world in container transport?
A ship has not too long ago arrived at Chattogram port from the Port of Civitavecchia, Italy with containers. This has began direct container delivery from Bangladesh to Europe. It has opened a brand new horizon for buying and selling. As well as, an MoU has not too long ago been signed between Ranong Port of Thailand and Chattogram Port. This can additional improve the financial relations between Bangladesh and Thailand. Coastal delivery actions between Bangladesh and Thailand will likely be began in close to future underneath this MoU.
Container dealing with is rising yearly. What are the plans to extend container house and capability within the yard?
Container dealing with on the port is on the rise. It is very important construct a container yard at Chattogram port to maintain tempo with the expansion of the nation’s imports and exports. With that in thoughts, the New Mooring Overflow Container Yard has been constructed. Moreover, container yards have additionally been arrange within the unused lands of the port.
Overflow Container Yard, which was inaugurated on 2 January this yr, has a capability of 4,000 TEUS. Via this, the capability to carry containers within the port has been elevated from 49,018 TEUS to 53,018 TEUS. Moreover, a service jetty has been constructed for berthing of the fleet owned by Chattogram port, particularly tugboats, pace boats, barges, dredgers, pilot boats and many others.
At current, the port is within the 67th place in Lloyd’s Checklist. What may very well be the place of the port in 2021?
I hope the port’s place will likely be fiftieth in 2021 because it has set a document in container dealing with.
What sort of incentives got to the officers and workers to proceed the actions of the port through the pandemic?
A proposal has been despatched by the port for monetary incentives which is awaiting approval from the ministry. The ministry has not but mentioned how a lot cash will likely be paid.
Please, inform us in regards to the progress of the Patenga Container Terminal undertaking?
To extend the capability of the port, the Patenga Container Terminal with a 600-meter-long jetty has been arrange on 27.5 acres of land. Round 4,500 containers may be saved collectively within the 89,000 sq. meters inside yard. We’ve set a goal of lifting 4.45 lakh containers yearly. The actions of the terminal will begin in mid-2022.
What’s the progress of the Bay Terminal undertaking?
The development of the Bay Terminal, which is about 4 instances greater than the Chattogram port, is present process. A number of international firms are inquisitive about investing on this undertaking. The ministry is finding out their proposals. Moreover, a feasibility examine has already been accomplished for the development of the terminal funded by Chattogram port.
The method of hiring a consulting agency for detailed drawing and design has been finalised. I hope this undertaking will likely be operational in 2024. The long run inexperienced port Bay Terminal is 6 km away from the Chattogram port. On the terminal, ships with a depth of 12 meters, a capability of 6,000 containers and a size of greater than 280 meters will have the ability to berth effortlessly.
This can save money and time. The turnaround time of the ships may also be decreased. If the terminal is constructed, 24 hours navigation can be doable.
How far has the Matarbari Deep Sea Port undertaking progressed?
The official actions of the Matarbari Deep Sea Port Growth Undertaking began on 16 November 2020. The development work is meant to be accomplished in the course of 2025. After that ships with a depth of 18 meters will have the ability to dock on the terminal of Matarbari port. This port can accommodate ships with 8,000 to 10,000 containers capability. Initially, it’s being designed to deal with eight lakh containers.
As soon as the port is operational, giant ships from any nation will have the ability to come right here instantly and we’d not have to depend on transit ports of different nations. It is going to additionally have the ability to facilitate transit and transhipment of products to neighbouring nations which can play a big function within the general financial improvement of Bangladesh.
What are the social work that Chattogram port is doing for the betterment of individuals?
Chattogram port has been working totally different social and cultural establishments together with 5 main faculties, two excessive faculties, two schools, one madrassa, and 11 maktabs for the folks dwelling within the surrounding areas. It has additionally constructed mosques, temples and pagodas. The port goes to open a faculty for kids with particular wants in a couple of days. The port additionally operates hospitals for port officers, workers and their members of the family.
The port additionally has a contribution to sports activities. Its cricket workforce received the title of Chattogram District Champion in 2019. Shahriar Alam, a scholar of Chattogram Port Sports activities Complicated, has joined the under-19 nationwide cricket workforce. The port authority has constructed a global customary eight-lane swimming pool.
The port authority has additionally offered numerous help to the folks of the port space through the Covid-19 interval.
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