Ctg Port resumes outer anchorage operations after 7 days
Around 55-60 mother vessels currently waiting at the outer anchorage
Highlights:
- Improved weather restores operations at outer anchorage
- Lighter vessels return as rough seas subside
- 55-60 mother vessels awaiting cargo discharge at outer anchorage
- Port expects full cargo operations by end of the day
- Port says cargo handling to continue if weather remains stable
Cargo unloading from mother vessels at Chattogram Port's outer anchorage resumed today (13 July) after a seven-day suspension as improved weather conditions allowed lighter vessels to return to operations.
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The unloading operation had remained suspended since 7 July after the Bangladesh Meteorological Department advised seaports to hoist Local Warning Signal 3 due to rough seas caused by the active monsoon.
As rainfall eased and sea conditions improved on Monday morning, lighter vessels began heading to the outer anchorage to unload imported goods from mother vessels, restoring a key link in the country's supply chain.
Sarwar Hossain Sagar, president of the Bangladesh Berth Operators and Ship Handling Operators Association, said preparations to resume operations began after the warning signal was withdrawn on Saturday.
"Although the signal was withdrawn on Saturday, the sea remained rough on Sunday, preventing large-scale unloading operations. Only a few vessels carrying scrap and edible oil were able to discharge cargo as rainfall has less impact on handling those commodities," he told The Business Standard.
"From Sunday morning, lighter vessels started sailing to the outer anchorage, and cargo unloading resumed from noon as weather conditions improved," he added.
Parvez Ahmed, spokesperson for the Bangladesh Water Transport Coordination Cell, also confirmed the resumption of operations, saying favourable weather allowed workers and lighter vessels to return.
He said seven new lighter vessels were allocated for cargo discharge on Sunday, while no additional allocation was required today as several vessels had already been assigned lighter vessels before the suspension.
According to port sources, around 55 to 60 mother vessels are currently anchored at the outer anchorage. If weather conditions remain favourable, cargo handling from all vessels is expected to resume soon.
Chattogram Port Authority Secretary Syed Refayet Hamim said operators began preparations after the withdrawal of the warning signal and full-scale operations resumed this morning.
"If the weather remains stable, cargo handling at the outer anchorage will continue without interruption," he said.
Imported cargo arriving at Chattogram Port is unloaded from mother vessels onto lighter vessels at the outer anchorage before being transported across the country. The week-long suspension disrupted the movement of imported goods and slowed supply to businesses, but traders expect supply chains to gradually return to normal as operations resume.
