The Hindu Business Line : Problems at Chittagong port

Imports and exports to and from Bangladesh have suffered immensely. While the blockade by the Opposition particularly hit the movement of cargo by the land route, labour go-slows and the full-blown strike by Chittagong port's gantry crane operators crippled sea-borne trade. About 90 per cent of the country's maritime exports are routed through Chittagong port. No wonder, about 18,000 containers, according to one estimate, are piled up at the port's yards aggravating the congestion problem.

The ships in berth and waiting outside are suffering huge losses. The country's ready-made garment industry, a major foreign exchange earner, is the worst hit as a result. The loss is estimated at more than $25 million. The negotiations are believed to be at an impasse which, it is hoped, will be resolved soon. But it is also pointed out that the congestion occurs even without labour problems. There has, therefore, been a suggestion for reconstituting the port into a corporate entity, preferably a public limited company — a move, however, strongly resisted by the employees.

Our Bureau

More Stories on : Shipping | Trade & Labour Unions

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Making IT solutions work for air cargo operations

Problems at Chittagong port

Where are all the BoxNs?

NMPT banks on rail connectivity

Bidding for port control

`Green signal' for Vallarpadam rail alignment

Are highways speed-breakers to Mangalore area development?

Overcoming roadblocks

Passenger comfort, the new mantra for airlines

Container rates still opaque