Govt plans big on Ctg port: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina speaks at the launch of a computerised container terminal management system and a radiation detection system at Chittagong Port yesterday.Photo: STAR

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said yesterday the government is working to make Chittagong Port a gateway of South Asia's commercial hub.
“Steps are being taken to remove all the hassles facing by port users and ensure import-export activities with transparency,” Hasina said while inaugurating the computerised container terminal management system (CTMS) and radiation detection system at the port building in Chittagong.
Currently, more than 90 percent of the country's export and import is done through the Chittagong Port.
The prime minister said bulk cargo handling has increased by 12 percent and the number of ship arrivals at the port went up by 8 percent during the last fiscal year.
She said the government has undertaken the task of constructing a deep-sea port at Sonadia in Cox's Bazar to expand commercial activities in South Asia.
On completion of the deep-sea port, the lifestyle of the people of this region, including India, China and Myanmar, will improve, she added.
Hasina said dredging in the channel of the Pashur river will start soon to develop Mongla Port.
She said with the inauguration of the computerised CTMS and the radiation detector, the premier port has been digitalised replacing the manual management operation.
The prime minister said the Chittagong Port has been turned into a safe port in the world with the installation of the radiation detector with financial and technical cooperation from the US.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said illegal transportation of goods will be prevented through radiation pronunciation.
The Chittagong Port through its Mega Port Initiative has joined the international terrorism prevention activities.
Hasina said the Awami League-led government wants to root out terrorism and terrorists at any cost.
She said the improvement of service at the Chittagong Port to international standard will attract increased overseas investment and help expand trade and business.
“We want to become a maritime force in combination with Bangladesh Navy, Bangladesh Coastguard, and Bangladesh Shipping Corporation.''
The Prime Minister said the work on installing Global Maritime Distress and Safety System already began to ensure the protection of mariners and ships.
Besides, International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code has already been implemented.
According to the IMO Convention, she said, shipping and maritime culture has been built up in Bangladesh, which has emerged as a shipbuilding nation.
Bangladesh has been building and exporting oceangoing vessels to different countries, including Germany, Finland and Denmark, she added.
“The government has been able to build a peaceful and disciplined image of Bangladesh,” Hasina said, adding that those who were in power in the past had turned Bangladesh into a militant and extremist nation.
Mentioning the government's firm commitment to turn Chittagong into the commercial capital of the country, Hasina said a tunnel would be built beneath the Karnaphuli river.
Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan and Chairman of Chittagong Port Authority Commodore Anwarul Islam also spoke on the occasion.
Port officials said container handling capacity of the port will double with the new system introduced that is sure to help ease the complete container handling process and make the stakeholders anxiety-free while tracing out their containers at the yard.
With the implementation of the CTMS, the operational activities of the import and export containers and payment of charges and dues will come under online networking system.
Under the new system, loading and unloading activities of the container ships at the port, shifting of containers in the yard, stacking, tracking, delivery and gate control will be conducted through online billing.
Partial operation of the CTMS system began at the port's Chittagong Container Terminal and New Mooring Container Terminal on October 10 and at the general cargo berths on October 12 last.
The equipment that will be added to the handling capacity of the port include six straddle carriers, three container movers, 10 low-mast fork lifts and four rubber-tyred gantry cranes worth Tk 117 crore.
The import consignments from Finland, Germany, South Korea, Japan and the USA include equipment for bulk cargo handling as well.