Chamber: Congestion at Yangon cannot be resolved overnight
TO clear cargo backlogs at Yangon (Rangoon) port will require round-the-clock operations and the lifting of a ban the halts activities outside of the hours between 9am and 4pm daily imposed by customs, according to the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI).
"Most countries around the world use round-the-clock loading and unloading processing services. Our trading system will be able to develop quickly now that we have introduced this fast-track method too, especially if customs clearance is also streamlined," UMFCCI joint secretary general U Aye Lwin told the Myanmar Times.
"Hopefully, the traffic jams around Yangon's ports will also ease now that the container trucks will be able to deliver and clear their loads at night," he said.
The move comes as the number of ships arriving at Yangon Port has doubled over the past decade. The arrival of general goods has also more than doubled, and the arrival of containers has risen fourfold, leading to delays in container delivery and port clearance and a shortage of container space.
The number of containers arriving at Yangon's ports has risen by 36 per cent since Myanmar's New Year festival in April, while the number of boxes leaving the port has fallen by three per cent, according to the Ministry of Commerce.
A working committee set up last week to look into the problem will report its findings and recommendations to Yangon Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein within two weeks.
Said UMFCCI chairman U Win Aung: "The private sector must contribute to help improve vital areas of overseas trade including custom clearances, transportation and port management."
To this end, the new working committee, which includes port owners and industry associations, has drawn up a list of tasks.
These include compiling a list of containers that have been left unclaimed for over 60 days, devising quick methods to clear and replace empty containers, running 24-hour customs clearance, and asking shipping companies for detailed reports on their freight logistics activities.
However, a quick solution to the congestion issues and shortage of container haulage trucks could prove elusive.
Leasing and logistics industry representatives have said a proper fix would require deep-water ports with more container yard space.
There is often a long queue of ships waiting outside Yangon's port unable to dock and unload, said one source.
TO clear cargo backlogs at Yangon (Rangoon) port will require round-the-clock operations and the lifting of a ban the halts activities outside of the hours between 9am and 4pm daily imposed by customs, according to the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI).
"Most countries around the world use round-the-clock loading and unloading processing services. Our trading system will be able to develop quickly now that we have introduced this fast-track method too, especially if customs clearance is also streamlined," UMFCCI joint secretary general U Aye Lwin told the Myanmar Times.
"Hopefully, the traffic jams around Yangon's ports will also ease now that the container trucks will be able to deliver and clear their loads at night," he said.
The move comes as the number of ships arriving at Yangon Port has doubled over the past decade. The arrival of general goods has also more than doubled, and the arrival of containers has risen fourfold, leading to delays in container delivery and port clearance and a shortage of container space.
The number of containers arriving at Yangon's ports has risen by 36 per cent since Myanmar's New Year festival in April, while the number of boxes leaving the port has fallen by three per cent, according to the Ministry of Commerce.
A working committee set up last week to look into the problem will report its findings and recommendations to Yangon Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein within two weeks.
Said UMFCCI chairman U Win Aung: "The private sector must contribute to help improve vital areas of overseas trade including custom clearances, transportation and port management."
To this end, the new working committee, which includes port owners and industry associations, has drawn up a list of tasks.
These include compiling a list of containers that have been left unclaimed for over 60 days, devising quick methods to clear and replace empty containers, running 24-hour customs clearance, and asking shipping companies for detailed reports on their freight logistics activities.
However, a quick solution to the congestion issues and shortage of container haulage trucks could prove elusive.
Leasing and logistics industry representatives have said a proper fix would require deep-water ports with more container yard space.
There is often a long queue of ships waiting outside Yangon's port unable to dock and unload, said one source.