Container handling in Chittagong port shot up significantly in October to 256,175 TEU, driven by the growing demand of goods worldwide following the full reopening of stores in the winter season and ahead of Christmas.
Exporters say during the last couple of months, the western buyers tried to ensure that their warehouses are full of products before winter selling begins thus shipment shot up.
They said the trend will continue next couple of months as well as Bangladeshi apparel makers, the main user of seaports, are full of work orders and struggling in ensuring production against demands.
In October, the Chittagong port handled 70,270 TEU of laden export containers and 60,104 TEU of empty export containers. At the same time, the country’s prime gateway handled 124,659 TEU of laden import boxes and 1,142 TEU of empty import boxes.
Data released by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) on 2 November show that Bangladesh’s export earnings in last month shot up by 13.7% compared to the amount earned in September.
In October Bangladesh exported goods worth US$4.72 billion, 60.37% up year-on-year.
Leaders of Bangladesh Garment Manufactures and Exporters Associating (BGMEA) said export witnessed a strong recovery in October as work orders are still pouring in by shifting from other competitor countries.
In recent months the work orders from China and Myanmar shifted significantly to Bangladesh.
BGMEA vice-president Shahidullah Azim, however, noted that maintaining shipment schedules may become tough for them in the coming months as they are facing workforce shortages.
Some apparel factories in Bangladesh have already started to run factories in two shifts, both day and night, to produce an increased volume of goods for meeting demands, according to apparel sector officials.
In addition, the ports and inland container depots need to further enhance their efficiency to handle growing shipments for the sake of export-import trade.
“We are in a rush to produce and export goods. The ports and off docks have to act accordingly,” pointed out Abul Kalam Azad, a garment exporter in Narayanganj district near Chittagong.
Sharar Nayel
Bangladesh Correspondent
