A record 83,245 TEUs (twenty equivalent units) containers were handled at the Chittagong port last month thanks to a number of reform measures taken by the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA). During the period, 86 vessels were handled against 76 in April last year.
According to sources, the CPA handled an average of 68,931 containers each month during the 2005-06 fiscal year (FY). The quantities were 62,167 in 2004-05 FY, 54,510 in 2003-04 FY and 46,707 in 2002-03 FY.
To ease container congestion, the CPA is currently allowing vessels' berthing at the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT).
It also extended the port's storage capacity from 12,293 to 16,397 TEUs by bringing a part of the NCT under the storage area about two months back.
The CPA has also started charging businessmen four times the usual rate for their containers' overstay in the port yards. The port authorities are putting on auction containers staying for more than 30 days.
Privatisation of Chittagong Container Terminal, abolition of stevedoring system and arrests, suspensions and transfers of corrupt and inefficient CPA officials also helped bring in dynamism in port activities.
According to sources, the CPA handled an average of 68,931 containers each month during the 2005-06 fiscal year (FY). The quantities were 62,167 in 2004-05 FY, 54,510 in 2003-04 FY and 46,707 in 2002-03 FY.
To ease container congestion, the CPA is currently allowing vessels' berthing at the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT).
It also extended the port's storage capacity from 12,293 to 16,397 TEUs by bringing a part of the NCT under the storage area about two months back.
The CPA has also started charging businessmen four times the usual rate for their containers' overstay in the port yards. The port authorities are putting on auction containers staying for more than 30 days.
Privatisation of Chittagong Container Terminal, abolition of stevedoring system and arrests, suspensions and transfers of corrupt and inefficient CPA officials also helped bring in dynamism in port activities.