Bangladesh Bank has formed a Tk 2,000 crore refinance scheme to ensure sustainable development of the shipping industry, increase export earnings and employment and gradually reduce import dependence.

Following the success of the first direct container shipping service between Chattogram and Italy launched in February this year, several European logistics providers have taken the initiative to commence similar services in order to get rid of the long delays in transporting cargo on the current routes using transhipment ports.

Thanks to the success of the first direct container shipping service between Chattogram and Italy commenced in February this year, several Europe-based logistics providers now also want to launch such services for faster transportation of Bangladesh’s export cargoes.

The customs offices will remain open on a limited scale during the Eid and weekly holidays beginning from April 29 to May 4 to ensure smooth operation of export and import activities at the ports.

The Chattogram port might soon be able to accommodate bigger vessels of up to 200 metres in length and having a draught of up to 10 metres, said Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) Chairman M Shahjahan yesterday.

The Bangladesh Bank today asked banks to track shipments of exported goods to stop trade-based money laundering.

Chattogram Customs House has seized a consignment of Sagar Jute Diversified Industries, as the Narayanganj-based export-oriented company has been trying to shipped goods 16 times lower goods than declaration.

Trade through Benapole port has remained suspended since Sunday morning, as five organisations of the port users have went for an indefinite strike demanding withdrawal of cases filed by the customs authority and resumption of the licences of the clearing and forwarding (C&F) agents.

The Gubrakura and Karaitali land ports in Haluaghat upazila of Mymensingh that connect Bangladesh with India are yet to become fully operational despite being opened about 10 years ago.

Custom House, Chattogram yesterday handed over three vehicles, two BMWs and one Toyota, which were brought to the Chattogram port duty-free under a United Nations convention and now auctioned off for Tk 1.45 crore.

A small sized container vessel, MV Songa Cheetah, left the Chattogram port for Italy’s Port of Ravenna yesterday afternoon with 952 TEUs of export-laden containers, marking the first round trip in container shipping service between Bangladesh and Europe.

Container vessel MV Songa Cheetah that came directly from the Port of Ravenna in Italy got a berth at Chattogram port immediately after its arrival yesterday.

A direct waterborne service has been introduced between the Chattogram port and an Italian port, paving the way for opening up prospects for faster and cheaper direct container shipping from Bangladesh to Europe.

Bangladesh’s premier seaport in Chattogram handled record number of containers in 2021 and also posted over 13 per cent year-on-year growth in container handling.

Chittagong port handled 31.15 lakh twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of containers so far this year, the highest since it began dealing with containers in 1977, as the economy of Bangladesh is returning to normalcy at a faster clip. 

The Chattogram customs house today seized 3.2 crore pieces of fake tax stamps that were brought in illegally to the port city through a container under the declaration of having papers from China.

Many shipping lines do not want to send their vessels to Chattogram port as they face delays in the unloading of goods due to customs procedures, according to Mohammad Ali Khokon, president of the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA).

Although  the Hili land port in Dinajpur’s Hakimpur upazila has a tendency to  exceed its annual revenue target, things may be different this year as  traders are opting for other ports with better facilities, according to  local experts.

In a bid to automate procedures to cut time and business cost, the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) is set to launch an electronic system from next month to enable importers to receive goods somewhat faster.

The Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) is going to introduce online system for issuance of delivery orders by the shipping agents or freight forwarders against import consignments.