SAIF Powertec Limited, a private sector operator of Chittagong Container Terminal, has launched SMS service for locating containers on the port yard, says a press release.

With introduction of the service, importers and exporters will be able locate their containers in 30 seconds. Previously, they need two/three days to locate containers from among the indiscriminately piled up containers on the port yard, added the released issued yesterday.

Now SAIF Powertec has embarked on yard planning programme, a standard practice in international seaports to arrange containers on the yard in order, which will drastically cut container searching time and maximise use of the yard.

To know location of their containers importers/exporters have to go to message option in their mobile phones and type 'Saif space container number' and then send the message to 7464 for Grameenphone and to 7890 for AKTEL, Banglalink, CityCell and Teletalk subscription. The answer will come in 30 seconds.

Managing Director of SAIF Powertec T Md R Amin said, “The SMS service is the primary step towards complete automation of the container terminal.”

SAIF Powertec took over management of Chittagong Container Terminal in early March this year as part of Chittagong Port Authority's private sector involvement initiative in the port management to improve its service. SAIF Powertec operates four gantry cranes at the terminal.

The officials of the port management company plan to discharge a ship in 24 hours from the terminal.