Cyclone Storm Approaching! The Country's Two Major Ports Suspended Operations, Shipments Please Note

It is reported that the two seaports of Chittagong and Mongla have announced the suspension of container and bulk cargo handling at the ports from this Monday (24th) morning due to cyclone storm Sitrang approaching the Bangladesh coast.

The port authorities have now moved all the vessels from the terminals to the deep sea and packed the equipment to avoid any accidents.

After the country's Meteorological Department issued Danger Alert No. 6 for Chittagong Port and Alert No. 7 for Mongla Port, the Chittagong Port Authority has issued the second highest level of Alert No. 3.

The cyclonic storm is understood to have hit the Bangladesh coast at a speed of 80 to 100 kilometers in the early hours of today. The country's meteorological department warned that waves 1.5 to 2.5 meters higher than normal tides may occur when the cyclonic storm hits coastal areas.

Chittagong port spokesman Omar Faruk said activities at the port terminal will remain suspended until the situation returns to normal. He noted that 18 ships conducting loading and unloading operations at the terminal were sent to the deep sea by 11:30 a.m. (local time) on the 24th and 46 vessels were asked to leave the outer anchorage and proceed to the deep sea as soon as possible.

Faruk said that deliveries from the port yard were also fully suspended at 5 p.m. on the 24th. Currently, the port yard has 35,588 containers. The port authority sent a notice to importers last Sunday asking them to pick up their cargoes immediately.

On the other hand, the Port of Mongla has issued a Port Alert No. 3 after the Meteorological Department issued Hazard Alert No. 7 for the Port of Mongla.

Cargo loading and unloading of 13 vessels at the Port of Mongla has been suspended since the evening of 23rd due to heavy rains and high winds.

Mohammed Shaheen Majeed, director of Mongla Port Authority, said that five foreign vessels were unable to enter the port area on the 24th due to the cyclone storm. In addition, three ships were unable to leave the port area after completing unloading their cargo.

It is understood that at least 15 trawlers sank in St. Martin Island in Cox's Bazar district on the 24th due to the cyclone storm. The Bangladesh government has ordered a nationwide suspension of all types of inland waterway vessels to avoid any accidents and loss of life.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Civil Aviation Authority has also suspended the operations of three airports in the coastal region from the afternoon of the 24th to noon of the 25th.