Container handling resumes

Chittagong: Cargo handling at the Chittagong Port resumed on Tuesday after a three-day pause as port workers got back to work, but delivery of containers still remained suspended due to the blockade that paralysed road communication.


‘Cargo handling was carried out in the ships anchored at the jetties, but the delivery of containers could not be restored’, said a senior port official Tuesday.


Road links to and from the port city remained snapped for the third straight days as Awami League-led combine enforced a countrywide blockade since Sunday demanding removal of chief election commissioner.


The authorities made a desperate bid to start container delivery from the port under police escorts Tuesday, but consignees refused to take the risks of carrying their goods through the highway amid the blockade programme.


Demonstrations were held outside the port on Tuesday, vowing to continue the blockade until the key demand is met.


Port sources said that over 5, 00,000 tonnes of cargo were stuck at port yards and onboard the ships due to the blockade.


Over 60 vessels were lying stranded at Chittagong Port, leading to costly delays which would ultimately be passed on to the imported goods.