The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) last week urged global buyers to nominate more shipping lines and private docks to help ensure timely shipment of export containers. BGMEA president Faruque Hassan made this request during a meeting with various stakeholders, including representatives of main line operators and global buyers.
The meeting discussed ways to address a container backlog and vessel shortage that are affecting garment exports.The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association last week urged global buyers to nominate more shipping lines and private docks to help ensure timely shipment of export containers. Its president Faruque Hassan made this request during a meeting with various stakeholders, including representatives of main line operators and global buyers.#
Hassan said many export containers loaded with garment items sit idle for as many as 10 to 15 days at their respective inland container depots before being sent to the Chattogram port.
This is to select shipping lines, freight forwarders and off-docks being nominated for the job by international buyers, he said.
Many global retailers and brands that import billions of dollars worth apparel products from Bangladesh nominate only one or two shipping lines and freight forwarders to transport their cargo, he said.
The container backlogs also occur since most international buyers chose just four or five off-docks to handle their cargo before shipping.
"This causes delays in shipment as well and exporters are forced to bear additional charges for the delay," Hasan was quoted as saying by a newspaper report in the country.
There are 19 inland container depots in and around Chattogram, where the country's premier seaport is located.
At the beginning of last month, most inland container depots were overwhelmed with export containers staying longer than usual.
During a meeting between Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) and various stakeholders on July 12, held for solving the container crisis, it was decided that the BGMEA should convince global buyers to refrain from nominating select shipping liners, freight forwarders and off-docks.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
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