Why are thousands of cargo containers remaining stranded at Ctg Port?

Thousands of import containers have remained stranded at Chattogram Port for years, creating a severe backlog that has reduced the port's operational capacity and increased costs for businesses.

Port users and trade representatives say the delays are caused by a combination of customs procedures, legal disputes and slow disposal of abandoned cargo.

Customs officials, however, say many containers cannot be released or auctioned because they are tied up in legal processes.

According to businesspeople, freight forwarders and clearing agents, the cargo logjam stems from several interconnected problems, including slow customs assessments, prolonged valuation disputes, demands for additional documents, penalties that begin before customs clearance is completed, and delays in auctioning abandoned goods.

Amirul Haque, president of the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said customs assessments typically take eight to 10 days, while demurrage charges begin after four days.

"Customs assessment takes eight to 10 days, but demurrage begins after four, forcing businesses to pay penalties from the fifth day," he said. 

"Delayed release traps importers' investments, disrupts supplies of raw materials and essential goods, and leaves paid-for consignments to deteriorate at the port."

Khairul Alam Suzan, former vice-president of the Bangladesh Freight Forwarders Association, said delays significantly reduce the value of imported goods.

"Despite spending our valuable foreign currency to import these goods, they have remained unused. Generally, everything from perishable items to machinery loses its value or functionality after five years, yet many of these goods have been lying here for years," he said.

According to customs officials, more than 600 cases are currently pending before the courts, preventing the release or disposal of several thousand containers.

The Chittagong Port Authority has repeatedly asked customs to remove auctionable cargo, hazardous chemicals and abandoned consignments from the port, but port officials say many of those requests have remained unresolved for years.

Responding to criticism, Chattogram Custom House spokesperson Sharif Al Amin said not all long-staying containers are legally eligible for auction.

He said many consignments remain tied up in court cases, writ petitions, investigations, valuation disputes and other legal processes, and cannot be auctioned until those cases are resolved.

Al Amin added that customs must complete statutory procedures, including issuing notices, preparing inventories, conducting valuations, obtaining clearances from relevant agencies and completing e-auction processes before cargo can be disposed of.