CPA urges RMG bodies to clear LCL cargo amid congestion

The Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) has called on the two leading ready-made garment industry bodies, the BGMEA and BKMEA, to ensure prompt delivery of imported LCL (Less than Container Load) cargo following congestion at the port. The information was revealed in a letter sent by the port authority to the top officials of both organisations on March 28.

The letter, signed by Rajib Chowdhury, Terminal Manager of the port authority, stated that 14 CFS (Container Freight Station) sheds are fully occupied with LCL cargo. Most of the goods have been imported by member companies of BGMEA and BKMEA.

Sources said that the lack of timely delivery from these CFS sheds has created complications in unloading newly arrived containers. Currently, there is insufficient space to unload and store LCL cargo from approximately 780 TEUs of containers awaiting unstuffing.

In this situation, the port authority has urged that imported goods already at the port be cleared as quickly as possible. To facilitate delivery, CFS operations have been extended to run 24/7, including Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.

The port authority has requested the organisations to instruct their member companies to urgently collect LCL cargo from the CFS sheds.

The letter further emphasised that prompt cargo clearance is essential to normalise operations at Chittagong Port and to uphold the country’s commercial reputation, calling for cooperation from all parties involved.