Trial run of Patenga terminal hits a snag

The planned trial berthing of a vessel at the newly built Patenga Container Terminal (PCT) in the Chattogram port could not be begun yesterday due to the non-completion of some works. 

The Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) last week announced that it would start the trial operation of the terminal by berthing a bulk vessel in one of the four jetties of the PCT, whose construction began in 2017.

Some trial tests such as jetty load test, pile load test and mooring bollard load test for checking the load capacity of various parts of the jetties are yet to be carried out.

CPA Chairman Rear Admiral M Shahjahan said some test trials and mechanical works need to be done before berthing a vessel.

"Otherwise, accidents might take place."

Load calibration of the weighbridge to synchronise with the entry and exit points has not been done yet. If the calibration is not completed, the authorities would be not able to perform the required verified gross mass test of container-carrying vehicles.

"We are trying to complete these works in the quickest possible time," said Shahjahan, adding that the trial operation might take place by the end of July.

The government approved the project to construct the terminal having three container jetties and a dolphin jetty on around 32 acres of land at Patenga in June 2017.

According to the initial proposal, the project was supposed to complete by December 2019. The implementation period was extended to June 2022 in the revised proposal.

Speaking about the delay, Project Director and CPA Executive Engineer Mizanur Rahman said there were many challenges at the initial stage since 50 per cent area of the site was occupied by many structures of various organisations and they needed to be relocated.

Owing to the coronavirus pandemic, the construction remained suspended for several months since foreign workers had left, he said, adding that more than 96 per cent of works have been completed.

The original cost was estimated at Tk 1,868 crore and the terminal was supposed to be built by the CPA's funds.

In the revised plan, the expenditure was reduced to Tk 1,229 crore as the government decided to execute it under the public-private partnership arrangement where the operator will procure the necessary equipment.

The terminal might be formally inaugurated by September.

Once the PCT becomes fully operational, the Chattogram port will be able to handle an additional five lakh twenty-foot equivalent units of containers annually.

The terminal will also accommodate larger vessels with 10 metres draught. The port currently permits the berthing of vessels with up to 9.5 metres draught.