Ctg port yardStore rent on containers again waived by 50pc

The government has again extended the store rent waiver facility for the containers lying in the Chittagong port yard.

During the period between May 17 and May 30, container owners will pay only 50 per cent rent while the rest is waived responding to the request from different trade groups.

The Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) issued a notification in this regard on Monday, asking the shippers to take delivery of containers within the period.

"An unusual store rent on the containers lying in the yard will be applicable afterwards," said the notification.

On different occasions earlier, 100 percent store rent was waived during the period between March 26 and May 16 as importers couldn't take delivery of containers due to the general holiday imposed to stem the spread of deadly coronavirus.

CPA chairman Rear Admiral S M Abul Kalam Azad said that the number of containers in the port yard would not come to a comfortable level unless the businesses take delivery of the boxes.

"The importers will have to act properly to bring order in the port yard which is now overflowing with containers," he said.

Until Tuesday morning, some 44,093 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of containers were lying in the port yard against its total storing capacity of 49,018 TEUs.

According to port officials, at least 30 percent free space is required to conduct smooth operations in the port yard.