CHITTAGONG:  Loading and unloading of goods at outer anchorage of Chittagong Port have remained suspended for four straight days due to inclement weather.

But Loading and unloading of goods at jetty have remained normal.

Due to heavy rainfall and rough weather, unloading of goods from mother vessels at outer anchorage have been halted from Wednesday.

Port sources said 13 ships with 8-lakh tones goods, at outer anchorage of the port, could not be unloaded due to stormy weather.

The cargos include pulse, wheat, soya beans, salt, and clinker.

Water Transport cell executive director Mahbub Rashid told banglanews that none hired lighter ships on Monday to unload cargo from mother vessels due to rough weather. But one lighter vessel was hired on Tuesday.

However, no ship was hired from Wednesday to Saturday. Till filing of the report, unloading of goods has remained suspended at outer anchorage.

Port source said lighter vessels have been anchored at different ghats in river Karnaphuli as unloading of goods remained halted.

The activities will remain stopped until weather condition improves.

Due to vigorous monsoon, steep pressure gradient persists over north of the Bay, maritime ports of Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep hoisted local cautionary signal number three.

All fishing boats and trawlers over north Bay have been advised to remain close to the coast and proceed with caution till further notice, says the met office.

The vessels of 9.30 meter draft and 190 meter long can not take berth in the jetties of Chittagong Port.

So, the larger vessels had to anchor at Outer Anchorage and the cargo had been unloaded by lighter vessels with the help of cranes.

BDST: 1534 HRS, JUN 27, 2015
RS/RR