Logistics firm halts coal unloading for Payra power plant over Tk75cr unpaid bills
Plant authorities say dues are to be cleared once fund is collected from PD
Some logistics firms have ceased their coal unloading at Chattogram Port's outer anchorage for the Payra Thermal Power Plant in Patuakhali, where one cites unpaid dues of approximately Tk75 crore from the plant's operator – Bangladesh China Power Company Limited (BCPCL).
Four vessels with approximately 2.32 lakh tonnes of coal remain stuck, as unloading remained halted until the report was filed yesterday. The disruption could threaten the operations of the 1320-megawatt (MW) plant, the largest of its kind in the country.
An official, wishing anonymity, told TBS that the company is unable to cover the regular expenses of operating lighter vessels for coal transport. "The suspension of coal unloading is a direct result of the outstanding payments."
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He said when BCPCL was pressed for payment, it explained that it could not settle the bills because the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) had not paid its dues on time. BCPCL will clear the dues once money is collected from BPDB, he said.
He added that BCPCL imports coal under deferred payment arrangements, which have contributed to delays.
Due to the shallow draft at Payra, large vessels cannot dock directly, requiring coal to be transferred via lighter ships from Chattogram's outer anchorage.
Moallem Hossain, general manager (accounts and finance) of BCPCL, told TBS yesterday that the BPDB pays for imported coal on behalf of the government.
He said, "Our outstanding dues to the BPDB amount to nearly Tk8,000 crore as of July. Of that, we sent a letter to the BPDB on 7 August, requesting Tk6500 crore up to June.
Expressing hope that the issue will be resolved soon, Moallem said, "There is still a reserve of more than 1.70 lakh tonnes of coal at the power plant, so there is no fear of an immediate power shortage. We hope the issue will be resolved quickly."
When contacted, Rezaul Karim, chairman of BPDB, said that he was unaware of any outstanding bills owed to BCPCL. He added that if there were any such dues, BCPCL would have officially informed BPDB.
The Payra plant, which has been producing electricity since 2020, relies entirely on imported coal with a daily consumption of approximately 10,000 tonnes of coal. According to shipping officials, the plant imports approximately 4 lakh tonnes of coal each month.
BCPCL data shows that between 19 July and 4 August, four mother vessels carrying 231,870 tonnes of coal arrived at the outer anchorage of Chattogram Port, with another 1,07,800 tonnes expected on two vessels between 15 and 21 August.
The most recent shipments include 55,100 tonnes from Indonesia's Kariangau Port on the Liberian-flagged MV Clara, which arrived on 3 August; 60,500 tonnes on the Singapore-flagged Big Glory, which arrived on 24 July; 57,270 tonnes on the Norwegian-flagged Carmencita, which arrived on 19 July; and 60,000 tonnes on the Panama-flagged Theodore Veniamis, which reached Chattogram on 4 August.
Demurrage charges
Logistics firm officials warn that failure to unload coal on schedule incurs demurrage charges of $12,000–$15,000 per day, which are ultimately billed to BPDB.
Md Enam-ul Hoque, executive director of Bencon Seatrans Limited, which is the local shipping agent for the vessels, said unloading typically takes seven to ten days per vessel. "Because AMMS Group has not discharged the coal, all four ships are sitting idle. Besides the daily charter costs, the delays are disrupting the vessels' onward schedules," he said.
Hoque said BCPCL will have to pay at least $15,000 for the daily rent of each vessel.
