The forced shipment of empty containers from the yard of the
Chattogram port is finally coming to an end, a positive development for foreign
shipping liners as it would allow them to avoid the financial losses they have
been incurring for the last six years.
During a meeting on February 14th
Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) assured the Bangladesh Shipping Agents
Association (BSAA) and the Bangladesh Container Shipping Association (BCSA)
that the practice would be discontinued
The Chattogram Port Authority would soon issue an official order to this effect.
The port authorities may attach some conditions, including
moving away empty containers through preferable vessels or shifting them to
private off-docks after keeping them at the yard for three days, said an
official of the port.
Bangladesh
Shipping Agents Association Chairman Arif was quoted by a local daily as saying
that the forced shipment causes problems for Main Line Operators.
This is because feeder operators usually levy higher freight
rates and may leave containers at a port where they are not supposed to end up
when there is no arrangement between them, he said.