More container scanners soon at Ctg port, Customs

Five members of the United States Coast Guard (USCG), who arrived in Bangladesh on Monday on a three-day tour, visited the Chattogram port to inspect local security checks on US-bound cargo, and enforcement of International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code).

On the first day of their visit, the team checked different installations of the port, private inland container depots (ICDs), and port security measures – especially the New-mooring Container Terminal, Chattogram Container Terminal, and the General Cargo Berth.

The visiting USCG team is comprised of Captain Erin Williams, Kimberly Kaiser, Clark Sanford, Irving Cintron, and Eric Bertsch.

They held a meeting with public and private department officials involved with the port’s operation and security at the port building the same day.

Speaking to The Business Post, Chittagong Port Secretary Md Omar Faruq said, “In the meeting, the USCG team wanted to know about our security measures, as they are focused on ensuring proper security of export cargo bound for the USA.

“From our side, we highlighted the Chattogram port’s steps to implement the ISPS code. We are currently in discussion with the USCG team on our possible next steps.”

Sources say the Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) is taking the USCG visit seriously due to a recent fire at BM Container Depot – a private container yard. Although this is a regular visit, the USCG has been refraining from such trips for the past two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Another USCG team visited the port last June.

Responding to query, a security official at the Chattogram port, said, “The presentation given by the port regarding the overall security measures mentions that the CPA could not complete the installation of more container screeners in time due to bureaucratic red tape.

“Initiatives are currently underway to tackle this issue. The port authorities are trying to procure two container scanners as soon as possible. The Chattogram Customs House is also in the process of installing more scanners.”

The ISPS Code came into effect in 2004 as an amendment to the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention on Maritime security measures for ships, ports, and government agencies. In 2019, a USCG team visited the port to inspect its security measures, and made some observations.

Port Secretary Omar Faruq said, “We are implementing the USCG’s security observations with utmost importance. We will update the visiting USCG team about the steps we have implemented, and they will be able to check these measures in the field.”