Chittagong seaport is grappling with a backlog of container ships following a 60-hour operation shutdown caused by Cyclone Mocha in mid-May. The port experiences a daily waiting list of 10 to 15 container vessels at its outer anchorage, resulting in berthing delays. Gearless vessels, reliant on the port’s gantry cranes for loading and unloading, endure extended waiting periods of up to five days. The Chittagong Port Authority’s berthing schedule reveals that 15 container vessels were awaiting berths, with only four scheduled for 1 June. Among them, the HMM Dhaka had been waiting for five days, AS Roberta for four and a half days, Cape Syros for four days, and the HR Balu (Bangladesh flag vessel) for two days. CPA spokesperson attributes the congestion to vessels avoiding the cyclone’s waters and now arriving simultaneously. Stakeholders also point out that the allocation of priority berthing exacerbates the backlog, particularly affecting gearless vessels. Efforts are underway to address the situation and minimize the impact on shipping operations.
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