Upcoming US coastguard visit to Ctg seaportSecurity code compliance mandatory for port users

All stakeholders of Chittagong port have been asked to completely comply with the set international security code as a US coastguard inspection team will visit the seaport soon, officials say, following recent incidents.

The International Port Security (IPS) delegation of the US Coast Guard (USCG) will check the port's compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) code moving through yards, jetties, container freight stations, port's entrance area, location of closed- circuit televisions, among others.

During the scrutiny of the port and shipping ambiance at Bangladesh's prime seaport, the American coastguards may also look through some private-sector off-docks to check their security status, according to sources.

Ahead of the visit, the port authority early this week had a meeting with the port users and asked them to come to the port area by wearing mask, waistcoat, helmet, safety shoes, and strictly comply with the guidelines of ISPS code.

The gate passes/identification cards of port users must always be visible during entry and performance of work within port's protected area.

Also the users have been asked to use online payment gateway during entry and exit of vehicles and port users in the port area.

Moreover, the sources said, the agents of the mainline vessels and feeder vessels have been asked to strictly comply with the directives given from time to time, in particular in carrying and handling of dangerous (DG) cargo.

The meeting, chaired by Member (Engineering) of the Chittagong Port Authority Captain Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman, also stressed strict compliance with some decisions on loading of DG cargo at load port and handling. The instructions were circulated among the agents of the mainline vessels and feeder vessels early July.

"DG cargo must always be carried in fresh containers and use of damaged/partly damaged container is strictly prohibited," says one of the directions -- issued close on the heels of a private depot inferno.

The agents were reminded about releasing imported DG cargos as fast as possible to avoid any mishap.

They were told that DG sticker and names of cargos including class and IMDG Code must be fixed with the container and each and every package of cargo.

The agents are also to ensure strict compliance with the standard packing of IMO and Palletise guidelines at load port.

A Chittagong-based shipping agent said that the visit of the USCG team is "crucial" against the backdrop of the deadly fire incident at BM Container Depot which took 45 lives and seriously injured many.

He notes that this week a number of containers carrying alcohols were taken out from the port area by submitting forged documents and using the hacked ID and passwords of a customs official which may be raised by the US team members during the visit.

"Such incidents may create scope to raise question about port's compliance with the international rules and guidelines and measures to prevent forgery."

The shipping agent mentions that the United States is a major buyer of Bangladeshi exportable and if they find security measures inadequate, they may rethink sourcing goods from here.

Before this June visit, the USCG team last time visited Bangladesh in August 2019 to see progress in implementation of ISPS code guidelines. Before that the team had visited the port six times.