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got berth on March 30 was scheduled to leave the port on Thursday but later delayed its departure for a day.

Another vessel -- MV Delaware Trader -- got berth on Wednesday and was supposed to leave today morning but the authorities of the ship were yet to confirm the departure date as at least 20 reefer container could not be discharged from it until yesterday evening.

Meanwhile, at least 11 vessels were waiting at the outer anchorage of the port for getting berths at the port jetties until yesterday.

The number of imported goods-laden containers reached at 43,767 TEUs (twenty equivalent units) until yesterday morning whereas the designated space for such containers can accommodate only 37,620 TEUs.

The scenario is similar at the yards designated to reefer containers used for perishable goods like fruits, onion, garlic, ginger, fish and others.

As of yesterday, a total of 2,932 TEUs reefer containers were lying at the port yards against the port’s capacity of only 1,620 TEUs.

Mahbubul Alam, president of Port Users’ Forum, said although the port remained open round the clock, other offices that provide importers and CNF agents with necessary documents -- radiation clearance, quarantine clearance and others -- to release consignments remained closed.

As a result, the people related to the port could not function properly.

He also demanded waiver of different additional charges taken by the port, shipping agents and off docks to assist the importers.

Contacted, Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) Secretary Md Omar Faruk said the government was considering waiver of port’s store rents only for the consignments arrived and be taken away during the shutdown period.