Cargo handling activities have increased in Chattogram port as import of essential commodities targeting the upcoming Ramadan has increased to a great extent in the port.
The activities have increased in the port in March compared to February as corona situation has improved in China, Port secretary Omar Faroque said on Saturday, reports BSS.
He said the authorities are continuing the port operation for 24 hours to keep the supply chain of import and export of goods at normal pace.
The port secretary said necessary initiatives have been taken to screen corps of the ship from foreign countries, screen sailors who come from overseas, secure quarantine in the sea for 15 days, measure temperature and ensure hand wash by medical team while ships enter into the port.
Port Transport Department sources said the Chattogram Port Authority has recorded 108,96468 tonnes of cargo handling in January, 939,8771 tonnes in February and 102,64402 tonnes in March, which is 9.21 per cent more than February.
A total of 756,7844 tonnes of open cargo (bulk cargo) laden with grain, clinker, wheat, gram, edible and fuel oil, came in January, which was reduced to 677,5532 tonnes in Fabruary due to the corona impact in China.
But, the bulk cargo handling has increased to 742,6460 tonnes in March due to improvement of the Corona situation in China.
Shahed Sarwar, director of Bangladesh Shipping Agent Association, said that the import of goods always remains high before Ramadan and pre-budget period in every year in Bangladesh.
He said most of the raw materials of our garments industries including chemicals and capital instruments are imported from China.
But, exports are also reducing due to corona outbreak in Europe and closure of almost all garment factories in the country, he added.