With ships' stay-time in Chittagong Port reduced to three days, berth operators and port users are urging the port authority to address the shortage of port handling equipment, reported The Financial Express (Bangladesh).
"We request the port authority to provide us with necessary equipment on an urgent basis. Private equipment can be hired to address the scarcity," said Fazle Ikram Chowdhury, convener of berth operators and ship handling operators' association.
His request came at the coordination meeting between the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) and port users and berth operators.
Stakeholders of the Chittagong Port said the container and containerised cargo handling in the port has improved remarkably since last week after deployment of the army.
But the lack of adequate handling equipment like straddle carrier, gantry crane, fork lift and trailer is disrupting the smooth port operations, they said.
Delayed delivery of containers to the hook points from off-docks, issuance of delivery orders from the CPA, permission for quick unloading and delivery of hazardous cargo from the port area are also hampering the normal activities, according to stakeholders. |
