Home
+
Published : 21 Oct 2025, 02:01 AM
On a typical workday at Shahjalal International Airport, the air around Gate 8 hums with the constant shuffle of trucks, vans, and businessmen. But that rhythm shattered on Saturday when fire engulfed the import cargo village, halting operations and sending shockwaves through the business community.
Now, while emergency measures try to resume limited cargo clearance, traders are grappling with losses they describe as catastrophic -- both immediate and potentially long-term.
No new cargo flights have landed at Shahjalal since the incident. Despite the halt, many traders continue to visit the complex, their conversations now focused on calculating losses and discussing compensation.
Even two days after the fire, cargo release and other operations remain far from normal. The National Board of Revenue (NBR) issued a media statement on Sunday suggesting alternative clearance procedures, but by Monday, operations had yet to fully resume.
Some intact goods from previous consignments were handed over to traders on Monday through Gate 9.
An officer from the airline’s cargo division responsible for ground handling said, “An emergency alternative cargo-handling system has been set up. However, without the digital system, work is proceeding on a limited scale. No new cargo flights have landed so far.”
He added, “Freighter flights are expected to resume on Tuesday. A Cathay Pacific freighter from Hong Kong is scheduled to arrive, carrying nearly 400 tonnes of imported goods -- the first international cargo flight since the fire. The goods will be temporarily stored in an open area next to the export complex and released through Gate 9.”
Authorities are considering a temporary shed with BGMEA support to protect items from rain. Another cargo officer noted that manually clearing goods is challenging, as airline staff cannot fully coordinate with customs.
“To keep imports flowing, staff will operate from the export cargo building, with office equipment set up there until a new facility is ready. Operations will run 24 hours until normalcy returns.”
Md Khairul Alam Bhuiyan Mithu, vice-president of the C&F Agents Association, said: “Under the emergency, cargo can now only be cleared 24 hours a day. Some traders have managed to release goods from earlier consignments.”Saturday’s fire at the import Cargo Village was controlled after coordinated efforts by 37 fire units, police, Ansar, RAB, APBn, the Air Force, and Navy by 9pm. The flames were fully doused by Sunday afternoon, 27 hours later.
BILLIONS IN LOSSES: EAB
Civil Aviation Advisor Sheikh Bashir Uddin had said the same night he would have damage details within an hour. But the information has yet to be finalised. At least four inter-ministerial and agency committees are investigating.
Traders have already started tallying their losses. C&F agent Imran Hossain said, “We’ve sent forms to all members to report what cargo they had and the extent of losses. Everyone is filling them out.”
Mithu said their association has 2,000 members, 1,900 of whom operate from Shahjalal airport.
At a Monday briefing, Exporters Association of Bangladesh (EAB) president Mohammad Hatem offered a preliminary estimate.
He said, “Direct losses include goods destroyed by the fire, but more losses will result from products that cannot be exported due to destroyed raw materials.
“Operations for the next few days will be disrupted, market positions will be lost, buyer confidence affected, and international contracts at risk. We estimate a total loss of around $1 billion or Tk 12 billion.”
Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Industry Association Secretary Zakir Hossain said letters sent to 32 companies revealed raw materials worth Tk 2 billion destroyed.
He added, “Immediate supply chain shortages are unlikely, but in the next three to six months, a deficit of Tk 30 to Tk 50 billion in finished goods production and supply could emerge.”
ANOTHER PROBE LAUNCHED
A five-strong committee has been formed by the Department of Fire Service and Civil Defence to investigate the airport import cargo fire. Media officer Shajahan Sikder said Monday the panel must submit its report within 15 working days.
Previously, separate committees were formed by the Internal Resources Division of the finance ministry, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, and Biman Bangladesh Airlines, responsible for ground handling.
Following multiple recent large-scale fires, the government also formed a seven-member “core committee” led by the home secretary, instructed to submit a report by Nov 5.
