Ship handlers urge CPA to resume cargo unloading at outer anchorage ahead of Ramadan
The letter, addressed to the secretary of the Port Security Council Committee and other relevant authorities, was signed by BSHBOA Chairman Mohammad Sarwar Hossain.
The Bangladesh Ship Handling & Berth Operators' Association (BSHBOA) has urged the Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) to resume cargo unloading at the port's outer anchorage, which has been suspended due to an indefinite strike by workers and employees over the NCT issue.
In a letter dated today (8 February), BSHBOA said that restrictions on unloading from lighter vessels have stalled the discharge of goods from mother ships waiting offshore.
The letter, addressed to the secretary of the Port Security Council Committee and other relevant authorities, was signed by BSHBOA Chairman Mohammad Sarwar Hossain.
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The association said shipping agents and importers are pressing for the resumption of lightering operations as delays affect the supply chain. The vessels at the outer anchorage carry large volumes of daily essentials, including cement, lentils, onions, sugar, wheat, edible oil, and soybean oil; items that see higher demand during Ramadan.
"These goods are stockpiled in large quantities on the vessels for regular consumption, especially with increased demand during the holy month of Ramadan," the letter said. "Failure to resume unloading promptly could expose the nation and its people to severe shortages and hardships."
BSHBOA asked the CPA to maintain normal cargo discharge operations at the outer anchorage, noting that uninterrupted unloading is important to protect public interests, prevent artificial shortages, and ensure a steady flow of essential supplies before and during Ramadan.
Chattogram Port, the country's main seaport, handles a significant share of Bangladesh's import cargo, particularly bulk essentials that are typically lightered from mother vessels offshore. The BSHBOA represents operators involved in ship handling and berth operations at the port.
Port operations, including container handling, cargo delivery, and cargo unloading at the outer anchorage, have remained suspended since 8am today as striking workers resumed an indefinite strike after a two-day pause. Operations at the outer anchorage were not affected during last week's work abstention program.
