Chittagong, Oct 10 (bdnews24.com) -- Automatic container handling system has been introduced experimentally at Chittagong port, the country's main seaport.
The Container Terminal Management System (CTMS) started functioning on Monday through container-entries of two ships, carrying Singaporean and Antiguan flags, berthed at New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT).
CTMS project director Khairul Mustafa said, "M V Northern Harmony with 968 20-foot containers from Singapore port and M V Courier with 835 containers from Colombo port berthed at CCT jetty of Chittagong port."
He told bdnews24.com that another ship, Panama flag carrier M V Kou Fo, carrying 910 containers, was scheduled to berth at NCT on Tuesday. "This will also be off-loaded through CTMS."
Khairul said ships carrying goods, other than readymade garments, from Chittagong port would be loaded through CTMS too.
He, however, said containers carrying export goods of Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) would be brought under the system from Nov 13.
Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) deferred the CTMS introduction twice due to opposition from BGMEA.
According to the CTMS system, loaded containers should be handed over to the port authorities 24 hours before berthing of the vessels.
Presently, for container handover, the garment exporters get 24 hours after the ships anchor.
Through using the CTMS system, position of any container can be known online anytime.
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