The Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) is now allowing importers to use alternative ways for the faster delivery of goods remained stockpiled in the port destined for Dhaka ICD.
The consignees can get the delivery of goods through Dhaka-Chattogram highways or Chattgram-Pangaon river route on the grounds of huge stockpiles.
They can also get the delivery from the port by changing the import general manifest (IGMs).
The IGM is an important shipping document that contains details of shipper, consignee, the number of packages, kind of packages, the description of goods, bill of lading, number and date, vessel details, etc.
If the consignees change their respective IGMs then they can take delivery from the Chittagong Port.
If they do not change their IGMs, the consignees can transport their containerised goods by road to the Dhaka ICD and can get the delivery after completing procedures of customs in the capital.
Similarly, the importers can send their cargoes through Chattogram-Pangaon and get the delivery from Dhaka ICD if they do not change the IGMs.
It takes around two days to get the change paying "speed money" to the customs officials.
There were huge stockpile of Dhaka-bound containers in Chittagong Port as the Bangladesh Railway had operated fewer wagons during Eid vacations.
The CPA issued a notice asking the consignees to take their cargoes from the destinations
It said there is container congestion at Chittagong Port due to Cyclone Fani and Eid as during the religious festival passenger trains/engines usually get priority stopping the wagon services.
The CPA notice said: "In that case consignee/importer can take faster delivery of container at Chittagong port (instead of ICD/Dhaka) after amendment of the IGM."
Besides, the consignee can take their containers under shipping agents' responsibility by road or can send boxes to Pangaon through river for the Dhaka ICD, final destination.
In the meantime, port officials told the FE Maersk Line has applied for changing IGMs to take delivery from Chattogram.
In the meantime, officials at the Dhaka ICD said that at least 13 railways wagons were suspended during the Eid vacation leading to backlog.
As on Friday, some 1,300 boxes imported container or around 2,000 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units) remained stockpiled at the Chittagong Port.
jaismharoon@yahoo.com