BGMEA | circular Details

CIRCULAR ON CUT-OFF-TIME

Publish Date:	2011-09-13
Title:	CIRCULAR ON CUT-OFF-TIME
Language:	English
Details:	*Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers & Exporters Association (BGMEA)* *BGMEA Complex, 23/1, Panthapath Link Road, Karwan Bazar, Dhaka-1215* Circular No.: BGA/Cus/2011/ Date: 13/09/2011 To: All Hon’ble Members of BGMEA Subject: CIRCULAR ON CUT-OFF-TIME. As you are aware the existing "Cut-Off Time" deadline for Export Container Handover at Chittagong Port is 24 hours after berthing of Feeder Vessel. However as per CTMS based container operation system, introduced by Chittagong Port Authority, the "Cut-Off Time" deadline for handover of Export Container has to be revised to 24 hours prior to berthing of Feeder Vessel. In this regard President, 1st Vice President, Vice President of BGMEA & BKMEA alongwith President FBCCI held two separate in-depth discussions at Chittagong & Dhaka on 10th & 11th September 2011 respectively with Secretary Ministry of Shipping & Chairman Chittagong Port Authority wherein: a) The decision for revising the existing "Cut-Off Time". b) The requirement for submission of Export General Manifest 48 hours prior to vessel's berthing under the CTMS, were both contested giving multi-dimensional rationale & logics. Despite the same, the Concerned Authority felt & assured BGMEA, BKMEA & FBCCI that the above decisions will not create any negative impact whatsoever and as such decided to go ahead to implement obviously at their risk & responsibility. It was assured both by Secretary Ministry of Shipping & Chairman Chittagong Port Authority, that with the revision in "Cut-Off Time", no exports will be affected or Feeder connection to Buyer's nominated Mother Vessel will be disrupted. However, the initial effective date 11th September 2011 for implementation of above Serials (a) & (b) was extended till 8th October 2011 (CPA letter enclosed). In other word, status quo will be maintained for existing 24 hours after berthing of Feeder Vessel will continue till 8th October 2011. Thereafter from 9th October 2011, purely on trial basis, "Cut-Off Time" requirement 24 hours prior to berthing of Feeder Vessel will come into effect. BGMEA will be jointly monitoring this with CPA. At the same time, it was further assured by Secretary Ministry of Shipping that based on Joint Monitoring by BGMEA & CPA, if it was found that the revised "Cut-Off Time" deadline created an impediment or bottle-neck to Trade, it will be discontinued forthwith. Although BGMEA will be jointly monitoring this change, all Members are requested to contact Secretary BGMEA, Dhaka/Additional Secretary, BGMEA, Chittagong with full details & facts in case of any difficulties faced by them. With regard to Notices & Circulars issued by some Freight Forwarders / Shipping Lines to our Member Industries hand-over cargo 72 hours prior to vessel's arrival was informed to the Secretary Ministry of Shipping & the Chairman Chittagong Port Authority. They both gave firm assurance that all Shipping Lines would be summoned and necessary instructions will be issued to stop this misleading conduct. BGMEA submitted that as per Operating pre-condition of Chittagong Port Authority for all Feeder Vessel Operators, they are supposed to operate as "Common Carriers" for all Main Land Operators (MLOs). However in practice this was not being followed and limited / selected coverage of MLOs was being provided in each Feeder Vessel sailings. Although in practice this is not being followed. As a result if a Container nominated for a particular Mother Vessel missed a Feeder Vessel, it is not accommodated in the next day's Feeder sailing & takes almost a week to await for Feeder Vessel. BGMEA was assured by Chairman, Chittagong Port Authority that necessary implementation of Operating pre-condition for Feeder Vessels as Common Carriers will be ensured 100%. BGMEA felt that, once this is enforced, there being almost daily sailing of Feeder Vessel, connection to all Mother Vessels will be lot easier & improve. (Md. Mostafizur Rahman) Secretary