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CHATTOGRAM, May 26, 2026 (BSS) – The Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) has constituted three distinct taskforces to facilitating smooth unloading of goods at both the jetty and outer anchorage throughout the extended Eid holidays. 

The move came as maintaining the flow of the country’s import-export trade throughout the long Eid holidays has become a significant challenge due mainly to absence of any of the 26 associated organizations and institutions, such as ports, customs, shipping, banks, and C&F. 

To facilitate the CPA’s special measure, the customs has formed 10 specialized teams. 

The initiative is particularly focused on the seven-day public holiday of the holy Eid-ul-Azha, commencing on May 25. As per relevant sources, while Chattogram port currently handles an average of 8,700 TEUs of containers daily, approximately 4,500 TEUs are unloaded or delivered each day. 

However, during the Eid holidays, although container movements remain steady, the unloading or delivery of goods nearly ceases. The ready-made garment sector traders are the most affected by this situation. This is due to the fact that if imported raw materials do not arrive at the factories in a timely manner, the finished garments cannot be exported, leading to significant production and supply shortages.

In the lead-up to Eid, import-export operations at 21 private off-docks (ICDs) have surged by approximately 50 to 55 percent. Typically, during regular periods, 7,500 export containers and 2,500 import containers are processed daily at ICDs. However, this number has risen to 11,000 export containers and 3,500 import containers as Eid approaches. The private off-dock association 'Bikda' attributes this increase to heightened shipment demands prior to Eid. 

Ruhul Amin Sikder Biplob, the Secretary General of the organization, stated that due to the extended holiday following Eid-ul-Azha, numerous importers and exporters are hastening their post-Eid tasks. Consequently, there has been a significant surge in pressure. 

The CPA has formed three distinct taskforces to maintain trade operations during the Eid holidays, which will primarily focus on several key areas that include overseeing the unloading of bulk goods at the outer anchorage, ensuring active container movements and yard management at the jetty, and safeguarding the overall security of the port's waters. 

BGMEA Director Rakibul Alam Chowdhury said, “We will urge the port and customs authorities to refrain from treating the Eid holiday as a standard holiday closing the port. Export and import operations must proceed uninterrupted. A delay in housing goods could lead to substantial disruptions in garment production, adversely affecting the nation's economy." 

Commodore Amin Ahmed Abdullah, a member of the CPA, indicated that during Eid, two  taskforces will be directly involved in unloading goods and managing the jetty yard. Additionally, a separate taskforce will be dedicated to ensuring overall security, he added.  

Assistant Commissioner of Chattogram Custom House Sharif Md. Al Amin confirmed that an adequate number of officers and staff will be present to maintain normal customs and examination operations.