The port authority is now asking shipping agents not to unload containers in the first shift due to lack of space in the container yard. As a result, the ships have to wait additional 12 hours to start discharging the containers after berthing at the terminal.

Normally, ships book unloading equipment at least for three shifts to discharge containers and the process takes three to four days. But now the time has increased to five to six days for unloading the ships after arrival at the terminal.

Earlier, the port authority asked shipping agents not to bring in more container ships to avoid losses due to delay in discharging containers.

The turn around time to Singapore for the feeder ships has also been increased to 25 days from 15 days. A ship now takes at least 25 days to go back to Singapore after discharging containers at Chittagong. Earlier, the turn around time was maximum 15 days. A ship has to count at least $15,000 to $ 25,000 extra for a day's delay.

Shipping agents said most of the ships coming to Chittagong are rented on the basis of time charter.

The cost of time charter of a medium range ocean going ship is no less than $10,000 per day. There are some big ships that even charge $20,000 a day for charter. Besides, there are some fixed operating costs amounting to no less than $5,000 for a ship per day, a source pointed out.

So, bringing ships to Chittagong is becoming difficult and expensive for the shipping agents, as they have to wait for more than a week before getting berthing permission. As a result more than a dozen ships remain standing at the outer anchorage every day due to lack of adequate berthing space at the port.

Shipping agents told the Daily Star that if the situation does not improve immediately ship owners might impose additional surcharge on Chittagong bound vessels.

According to them the ship owners are closely observing the situation and might take the decision any time.

They said instead of delaying to unload the ships, the port authority could take steps to keep the containers outside the port yard and arrange to guard them with security personnel.

As the export-import volume is increasing day by day, the port will have to take special measures to cope with it, they pointed out. Otherwise, the port will get a bad reputation abroad.

Use of containers is also increasing worldwide as many items that were carried in bulks earlier are now being carried in containers, giving rise to pressure of containers at all the ports worldwide.

Earlier, feeder vessel owners used to impose a surcharge on Chittagong bound ships mainly due to container congestion at the port. Now additional expenditure has been added due to delay in getting berthing space.

The government, however, feels that the pressure at the port will be reduced substantially once the newly built new mooring container terminal starts operation.

The terminal is likely to start operation from September this year, the government hopes. But the government and the mayor of Chittagong City Corporation are locked in a debate over whether the new terminal should be operated by the government or private sector.

The ministry of shipping wants to lease it out to private sector while the city mayor ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury is opposing the idea.

The Chittagong chamber and business community are also demanding private sector involvement for smooth functioning of loading and unloading goods.