Lighter vessel backlog at Ctg port eases

After a month of acute congestion, the pressure at Chattogram Port's outer anchorage has eased, following strict enforcement by the Ministry of Shipping and the rollout of a digital lighter vessel management system.

In mid-January, more than 100 vessels were stranded offshore, delaying the unloading of food grains and essential commodities ahead of Ramadan. By yesterday (17 February), the number of anchored vessels fell to 80, while ships carrying essential cargo dropped from 52 to 38. Where mother vessels previously waited two to three days for lighter vessel allocation, serials are now being issued daily, allowing regular discharge of bulk cargo.

Director General of Shipping Commodore Md Shafiul Bari said authorities acted swiftly after reports that lighter vessels were being used as floating warehouses, exacerbating the shortage. "Within a month, we managed to dissolve the crisis. Had it continued, commodity prices could have spiked ahead of Ramadan. Now the situation is under control," he said.

Crackdown on floating warehouses

Between 15 January and 15 February, the Department of Shipping inspected 789 lighter vessels across major river routes. Of these, 627 had been anchored up to 10 days, 128 for more than 10 days, and 34 for over 20 days, violating inland shipping rules. 

Task forces ordered immediate unloading in multiple cases and imposed fines totalling Tk535,000.

Separate inspections in Narayanganj, Keraniganj, Munshiganj, Barisal, Khulna, Chattogram, and Bhairab-Ashuganj led to fines of Tk115,000 between 15-31 January and Tk420,000 from 1-15 February. 

On 1 February alone, nine vessels in Chattogram were fined Tk410,000 under the Inland Shipping Ordinance 2022. Cargo included wheat, lentils, rice, fertiliser, coal, stones, and clinker.

Digital serial and real-time monitoring

On 30 January, authorities launched an advanced Lighter Vessel Management Software, digitising serial issuance, allocation, and compliance tracking. Vessels now request serials via a mobile app, with geo-fencing enforcing first-come-first-served rules. Approvals are verified and issued digitally, with automated notifications to owners, carriers, and agents. The system tracks vessel movement from serial issuance to unloading, reducing disputes over demurrage and boosting ship turnaround.

Parvez Ahmed, co-convener of the Bangladesh Water Transport Coordination Cell, said, "Real-time monitoring has prevented vessels from remaining idle. We now allocate vessels to mother ships almost every day."

Container congestion persists

While bulk cargo handling has stabilised, container terminals remain strained. A recent labour strike and a 48-hour election holiday caused over 40,000 containers to accumulate, compared to the usual 30,000–32,000. Daily handling of about 10,000 TEUs and delivery of 4,000 TEUs have resumed, but clearing the backlog may take two to three weeks.

Khairul Alam Sujan, former director of the Bangladesh Shipping Agents' Association, said the excess stock could take at least three weeks to clear. Omar Faruk, director (Administration) of CPA, added that operations are normal and the port is working around the clock to ease congestion.

Shipping sector insiders say the combination of enforcement and automation has restored discipline in lighter vessel operations. While the immediate crisis has passed, sustained monitoring will determine whether the improvements hold.