Bangladesh's export chain reels from airport cargo meltdown after fire
Damaged cargo sheds leave imports exposed to rain; DHL, an airline halt shipments
Highlights:
- Fire crippled Dhaka airport cargo complex, disrupting international parcel deliveries
- DHL and other couriers suspended Bangladesh-bound shipments after fire
- Exporters warn delayed samples threaten garment and pharmaceutical production
- Cargo stored outdoors; missing consignments and rain damage reported
- Authorities, customs, and couriers trade blame over clearance bottlenecks
- Industry losses exceed Tk800 crore; 48-hour clearance order issue
More than two weeks after a fire crippled the cargo complex at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, international parcel deliveries remain severely disrupted, leaving import-dependent businesses reeling and exporters fearing lost orders.
Leading global courier DHL has suspended all parcel pickups bound for Bangladesh, while at least one major foreign airline has halted Bangladesh-bound cargo shipments, according to industry sources.
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Businesses that rely on timely imports – particularly readymade garment exporters and pharmaceutical firms – say the delays are disrupting operations and threatening future export orders.
Severe impact on exporters
Garment and textile exporters depend on time-sensitive sample shipments from buyers abroad to confirm new orders. With samples now stuck overseas, manufacturers warn of serious consequences if normal air cargo operations are not restored soon.
"Parcels that are arriving are not being delivered. That's why DHL and others have suspended Bangladesh-bound pickups," BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan Babu told The Business Standard. "So far, there hasn't been any order cancellation. But if this continues, we won't be able to confirm future orders. The consequences will be very severe."
BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem echoed the concern, saying, "Our biggest challenge now is that product samples are not arriving by air courier. Without them, we cannot secure or ship orders on time."
DHL pauses shipments amid clearance chaos
Over 40 international air express operators serve Bangladesh, including DHL Express, FedEx, UPS, TNT, Skynet and DTDC.
On 29 October, DHL Express Bangladesh notified partners that it has temporarily paused acceptance of inbound non-document shipments due to the airport fire.
"We have not resumed Bangladesh-bound parcel pickups," said Abul Kashem Chowdhury, director of DHL Express Bangladesh. "After the fire, the airport is still not ready, so we are not bringing parcels in."
Industry officials said DHL and FedEx together handle nearly 70% of Bangladesh's air courier volume, with DHL alone managing about 2,500 Bangladesh-bound consignments daily. Around one-third of total air courier cargo is linked to the RMG and textile sectors.
A senior airline representative, requesting anonymity, said civil aviation authorities have advised airlines not to bring import cargo "as proper facilities have yet to be restored."
Cargo left in the open
Two weeks after the fire, cargo chaos persists. Damaged sheds have not been replaced, forcing imported goods to be stored outdoors – many exposed to rain.
Footage taken on Saturday shows cargo stacks left uncovered and soaked.
"It's disappointing that even after two weeks, the necessary new sheds have not been built," said Quazi Ajmal Hossain, law secretary of the Dhaka Customs Agents Association. "Is the capacity really so limited?"
Md Rashidul Hasan, managing director of Barisal Agency, a C&F agent for Incepta Pharmaceuticals, said, "Three consignments for Incepta arrived four days ago. After searching extensively, we have only received one. The rest are still missing."
Blame game over clearance delays
Multiple meetings between business leaders and officials from the Civil Aviation Authority, Biman Bangladesh Airlines and Customs have failed to resolve the clearance bottleneck. Each side blames the other for the gridlock.
CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal Md Mostafa Mahmood Siddiq told TBS that cargo operations are running round the clock, but courier representatives and C&F agents "are not taking their goods despite repeated reminders."
"Cargo is piling up," he said. "We've held several meetings already. Hopefully, things will settle down soon."
Kabir Ahmed, president of the International Air Express Association of Bangladesh, said limited space and procedural restrictions are worsening congestion. "If even a few representatives linked to a master bill are absent, deliveries stall," he said. "Previously, express companies had warehouses for temporary storage. Those were destroyed in the fire."
Group Captain Ragib Samad, executive director of the airport, said all agencies are working 24/7, "but progress is slow as many couriers and C&F agents avoid night work."
Losses mount
The BGMEA estimates its member factories have suffered direct losses of around Tk100 crore. The Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries reported Tk165 crore in losses across 45 companies, including Tk25 crore at Healthcare Pharmaceuticals and Tk21.55 crore at Incepta.
The Bangladesh Garment Accessories and Packaging Manufacturers Association said its members' losses could exceed Tk100 crore.
A senior official of the International Air Express Association estimated total direct losses at around Tk800 crore, with the broader economic impact potentially topping $1 billion.
48-hour clearance order
To ease congestion, Civil Aviation Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin met stakeholders on Sunday and directed that imported consignments must be collected within 48 hours, or they will forfeit claims.
The BGMEA subsequently informed members that around 1,000 tonnes of cargo awaiting clearance must be collected within 48 hours, warning that unclaimed goods may be auctioned or destroyed.
"The airport is a transit area, not a storage facility," said airport executive director Ragib Samad. "Those with warehouses must clear goods promptly."
