<p data-path-to-node="2" id="p-rc_054a4650e8118212-414"><span data-path-to-node="2,0"><b data-path-to-node="2,0" data-index-in-node="0">CHITTAGONG —</b> Confronting mounting quayside space constraints and aiming to preserve high vessel-loading velocity ahead of peak seasonal sailings, the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA), in direct operational coordination with the Chittagong Custom House and the Bangladesh Inland Container Depots Association (BICDA), has issued an emergency statutory operational directive enforcing a mandatory dynamic off-dock evacuation protocol for all empty ocean containers discharged across primary port terminals</span><span data-path-to-node="2,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1708829769="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1708829769="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="2,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3250792215=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><p data-path-to-node="3" id="p-rc_054a4650e8118212-415"><span data-path-to-node="3,0">The regulatory framework applies across all core operational container facilities within the maritime complex, including the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT), Chittagong Container Terminal (CCT), and Patenga Container Terminal (PCT)</span><span data-path-to-node="3,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1708829769="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1708829769="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="3,2">. Under the enforceable mandate, empty ocean container boxes offloaded from arriving common feeder vessels are strictly prohibited from lingering within waterfront storage yards</span><span data-path-to-node="3,3"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1708829769="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1708829769="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="3,4">. Instead, ocean container lines, slot charterers, and licensed clearing and forwarding (C&amp;F) agents must dynamically evacuate empty equipment directly to designated private off-dock Inland Container Depots (ICDs) across the Patenga and Faujdarhat industrial corridors within a mandatory 36-hour window post-discharge. Any empty units exceeding this operational threshold will automatically trigger escalating progressive daily storage penalties, punitive ground-rent surcharges, and administrative berthing holds debited directly against carrier accounts</span><span data-path-to-node="3,5"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1708829769="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1708829769="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="3,6">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3250792215=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><p data-path-to-node="4" id="p-rc_054a4650e8118212-416"><span data-path-to-node="4,0">The emergency intervention addresses an acute spatial imbalance across Bangladesh’s primary maritime gateway</span><span data-path-to-node="4,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1708829769="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1708829769="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="4,2">. With global ocean carriers rebalancing container inventories and blanking sailings across South Asia, offloaded empty boxes rapidly accumulated inside waterfront holding yards, pushing terminal stacking densities beyond the critical 85% operational limit</span><span data-path-to-node="4,3"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1708829769="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1708829769="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="4,4">. When quayside storage yards breach these saturation thresholds, ship-to-shore (STS) gantry cranes and rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes are forced into non-productive container reshuffling to unearth specific import boxes</span><span data-path-to-node="4,5"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1708829769="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1708829769="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="4,6">. This mechanical friction degrades gross crane moves per hour, lengthens vessel port stays, and forces incoming common feeder vessels operating high-frequency loops to Colombo, Singapore, and Port Klang into multi-day outer anchorage waiting queues along the Karnaphuli River approach</span><span data-path-to-node="4,7"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1708829769="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1708829769="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="4,8">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3250792215=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><p data-path-to-node="5" id="p-rc_054a4650e8118212-417"><span data-path-to-node="5,0">To execute the dynamic off-dock evacuation without snarling port perimeter gates, the CPA, Chittagong Customs, and BICDA have deployed an automated dispatch workflow</span><span data-path-to-node="5,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1708829769="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1708829769="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="5,2">:</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3250792215=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><ul data-path-to-node="6"><li><p data-path-to-node="6,0,0" id="p-rc_054a4650e8118212-418"><span data-path-to-node="6,0,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="6,0,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Direct-to-Offdock Dynamic Quotas:</b> Ocean container lines must pre-allocate discharged empty inventories directly to licensed private ICDs prior to vessel berthing</span><span data-path-to-node="6,0,0,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1708829769="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1708829769="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="6,0,0,2">. The 19 private off-dock depots encircling Chattogram, which maintain a cumulative holding capacity exceeding 105,000 TEUs, serve as the dedicated storage, maintenance, and empty-repositioning buffer</span><span data-path-to-node="6,0,0,3"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1708829769="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1708829769="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="6,0,0,4">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3250792215=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="6,1,0" id="p-rc_054a4650e8118212-419"><span data-path-to-node="6,1,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="6,1,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Automated RFID and Smart-Gate Validation:</b> Heavy skeletal trailers hauling empty containers out of the terminal gates pass through high-speed Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and RFID scanner gantries</span><span data-path-to-node="6,1,0,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1708829769="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1708829769="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="6,1,0,2">. Equipment condition records and container identification numbers are validated in motion, allowing trucks to exit harbor boundaries in under 30 seconds without manual paperwork delays</span><span data-path-to-node="6,1,0,3"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1708829769="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1708829769="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="6,1,0,4">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3250792215=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="6,2,0" id="p-rc_054a4650e8118212-420"><span data-path-to-node="6,2,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="6,2,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Round-the-Clock Drayage Corridors:</b> Transport operators utilize scheduled, round-the-clock drayage corridors, shifting high-volume empty equipment blocks during evening and off-peak hours to prevent localized traffic bottlenecks along the Dhaka–Chittagong highway approach</span><span data-path-to-node="6,2,0,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1708829769="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1708829769="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="6,2,0,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3250792215=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li></ul><p data-path-to-node="7" id="p-rc_054a4650e8118212-421"><span data-path-to-node="7,0">The primary objective of the directive is to protect Bangladesh’s core economic driver: the Ready-Made Garment (RMG) export industry</span><span data-path-to-node="7,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1708829769="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1708829769="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="7,2">. Apparel factories situated across Gazipur, Savar, Narayanganj, and the Chattogram Export Processing Zone (CEPZ) operate on rigid, synchronized manufacturing lead times to meet seasonal retail replenishment dates across Western Europe and North America</span><span data-path-to-node="7,3"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1708829769="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1708829769="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="7,4">. By immediately clearing waterfront aprons of empty boxes, the CPA frees up essential ground slots and crane cycles exclusively for export-laden garment containers</span><span data-path-to-node="7,5"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1708829769="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1708829769="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="7,6">. This enables export trucks arriving from inland factories and off-dock stuffing depots to roll directly under quayside cranes, ensuring containers make scheduled feeder connections without vessel rollovers or costly airfreight diversions</span><span data-path-to-node="7,7"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1708829769="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1708829769="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="7,8">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3250792215=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><p data-path-to-node="8" id="p-rc_054a4650e8118212-422"><span data-path-to-node="8,0">Senior administrative leadership at the Chittagong Port Authority emphasized that waterfront container docks must operate strictly as high-velocity transit conduits rather than indefinite storage yards</span><span data-path-to-node="8,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1708829769="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1708829769="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="8,2">. The mandatory dynamic empty evacuation protocol ensures that terminal aprons maintain optimal maneuvering room, decompressing waterfront density and safeguarding schedule reliability for Bangladesh’s international export trade</span><span data-path-to-node="8,3"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1708829769="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1708829769="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="8,4">.</span></p>