A 40-foot container carrying 668 bales of fabrics worth approximately Tk3 crore has recently gone missing from Chattogram port, raising concerns over cargo security and handling at the country’s premier seaport.
The container, numbered MRSU-8692827, was imported by Savar-based Gold Star Garments and arrived at the port MV MCC Danang on 15 August. It was discharged at the NCT-2 berth.
C&F agent SRS Syndicate submitted the bill of entry through the Customs’ Asycuda World system on 22 August to complete clearance. After paying all relevant charges, the agent went to the CCT yard on 30 August to take delivery but port officials could not locate the container. Despite daily searches from 30 August to 2 September and informing terminal officials, the container remained untraced.
SRS Syndicate owner Md Hafizur Rahman sent a letter to the Chattogram Port chairman on 2 September seeking action.
“The container has not been found for more than a week. The fabric rolls inside were meant for 100 per cent export-oriented production,” he said in the letter.
Hafizur said the delay had put Gold Star Garments in difficulty, as the factory had not received the fabrics within the scheduled time. “If the raw materials are not delivered on time, our customer may fail to ship the finished products to its overseas buyer within the deadline,” he said.
Chattogram Port Secretary Syed Refayet Hamim confirmed receipt of the complaint. “An investigation is underway into the matter,” he said.
He said containers do not have GPS trackers attached to them, only seal locks. Whether the container can be found or if it was stolen will only be clear once the probe committee submits its report.
A six-member committee, including representatives from Customs, has been formed to investigate into the matter, Hamim said. The committee has been instructed to submit its report as soon as possible. Full details will be made public once the investigation concludes, the secretary said.
