Maritime trade could face difficult times, as the Bangladesh Shipping Agents’ Association (BSAA) has threatened to stop cargo ships from entering or leaving Chittagong Port from October 23. This will be in protest against alleged harassment and filing of fake cases against shipping agents and ship owners by officials of the Chittagong Customs House (CCH). Senior vice-president of the BSAA, M Kamal Hayat, told a press conference at the association’s office in the port city on Thursday noon that CCH officials filed a case of violation of international maritime law against Kuliar Shipping. Besides, several cases have been filed against shipping agents on similar charges.
He said: “If the government doesn’t take any action against the CCH officials concerned and withdraws cases, the shipping agents will stop movement of international ships at Chittagong Sea Port, as well as elsewhere in the country from October 23. So, we urge the authorities concerned to take steps to resolve the crisis.”
Director of the BSAA, Shahed Sarwar, told The Independent that association members are not liable for declaration of goods. The agents are only carriers of containers or goods. Physical or other tests are done by the CCH. The C&F Agents and exporters and importers are responsible for fake declaration or fake import.
Captain Radiqul Islam, director of the BSAA, said: “There are many incidents of filing of cases by the CCH and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). They are probably not aware of international maritime laws, or they are doing it deliberately.”
Sayed Mohammed Rafiqul Islam, another director of the BSAA, said: “The authorities do not file cases against the real culprits.”
According to the BSAA, a consignment of 150 bales of raw silk was carried by its principal (Uniglory Marine Corporation-Taiwan) from Hong Kong. The container was discharged from the feeder vessel with the original seal intact, and, as per practice, it was handed over to the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) against a joint tally duly signed by the stevedore and the CPA.
-With The Independent input
