Unloading of imported cargo at Chattogram port's outer anchorage has been severely disrupted for weeks due to an acute shortage of lighter vessels.

Currently, 43 mother vessels carrying over 6 lakh tonnes of various cargo, including essential commodities and industrial raw materials, are anchored at the outer anchorage.

Shipping agents report that most vessels are receiving far fewer lighter vessels than needed, with some getting none on certain days.

On Monday, the Bangladesh Water Transport Coordinating Cell (BWTCC) allocated only 44 lighter vessels for unloading these 43 mother vessels, leaving at least four vessels without any support.

Cargo agents are requesting four lighter vessels per mother vessel but are only receiving one.

A vessel named S Breeze, carrying 47,000 tonnes of raw sugar, arrived on January 27 but still had 4,000 tonnes left to unload as of today.

Its local agent, Litmond Shipping, stated that insufficient lighter vessels extended the unloading process from the usual 5-6 days, leading to demurrage costs of $20,000 per day.

The shortage stems from many lighter vessels being stuck at destinations for weeks.

Of the 1,400 lighter vessels transporting imports across the country, 950 are currently loaded, with around 350 held up at river points for 20-30 days or more.

Industry insiders allege that some importers are using lighter vessels as floating warehouses, delaying unloading to manipulate the market.

This practice has worsened the crisis, warned GM Khan, executive director of the BWTCC.

Parvez Ahmed, vice president of the Inland Vessel Owners Association of Chattogram (IVOAC), cautioned that such delays could lead to higher freight rates as mother vessels incur longer port stays.

In response, the Department of Shipping held a stakeholder meeting on Monday and warned of mobile court actions against importers who keep lighter vessels beyond reasonable periods.