EXPORT cargo handling at private inland container depots (ICDs) in Chattogram, Bangladesh, went into overdrive after the government fell, as the depots rushed to clear the backlogs and desperate businesses sought to meet shipping deadlines.
In the first fifteen days of August, export cargo handling at the 18 private container depots in the port city exceeded the corresponding period of July, data shows, according to The Financial Express of Dhaka.
In the first half of August, the depots processed 32,180 TEU, an increase of 360 TEU compared to the same period in July.
The depots were closed on the first five days of the month due to nationwide fierce student protests. They resumed operations on August 6.
Despite the initial disruptions, prompt stability and clear directives from the interim government contributed to the surge, according to industry insiders.
A sense of calm returned following the formation of the interim government led by Dr Muhammad Yunus on August 8, they said.
The Bangladesh Container Depots Association (BICDA) said export handling increased as shipments were disrupted by student protests from July 18.
According to the association, the increase actually reflects a backlog from the last ten days of July when protests intensified and the then Awami League government imposed a curfew nationwide.
'We handled a record volume of 3,306 TEU on July 14, the highest in at least six or seven months,' said Ruhul Amin Sikder (Biplob), secretary-general of BICDA.
He also said the overall number of empty containers at the depots has decreased.
On July 15, there were 49,396 TEU of empty export boxes at the ICDs which fell to 46,388 TEU on August 15, according to BICDA statistics.
SeaNews Turkey
In the first fifteen days of August, export cargo handling at the 18 private container depots in the port city exceeded the corresponding period of July, data shows, according to The Financial Express of Dhaka.
In the first half of August, the depots processed 32,180 TEU, an increase of 360 TEU compared to the same period in July.
The depots were closed on the first five days of the month due to nationwide fierce student protests. They resumed operations on August 6.
Despite the initial disruptions, prompt stability and clear directives from the interim government contributed to the surge, according to industry insiders.
A sense of calm returned following the formation of the interim government led by Dr Muhammad Yunus on August 8, they said.
The Bangladesh Container Depots Association (BICDA) said export handling increased as shipments were disrupted by student protests from July 18.
According to the association, the increase actually reflects a backlog from the last ten days of July when protests intensified and the then Awami League government imposed a curfew nationwide.
'We handled a record volume of 3,306 TEU on July 14, the highest in at least six or seven months,' said Ruhul Amin Sikder (Biplob), secretary-general of BICDA.
He also said the overall number of empty containers at the depots has decreased.
On July 15, there were 49,396 TEU of empty export boxes at the ICDs which fell to 46,388 TEU on August 15, according to BICDA statistics.
SeaNews Turkey