Chattogram Port & Off-Dock Container Depots (Inland Container Depots - ICDs)
Lesson Contents Overview
Learning Objectives
Comprehensive Technical GuidanceTextbook & Training SOP
1. The Maritime Gateway: Chattogram Port
The Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) handles over 3.2 million TEUs annually, serving as the economic lifeline of the Bangladesh garment industry.
Terminal Infrastructure:
- NCT (New Mooring Container Terminal): Heaviest volume terminal equipped with Quay Gantry Cranes (QGC).
- CCT (Chittagong Container Terminal): Modern specialized container handling berths.
- PCT (Patenga Container Terminal): Deep-draft modern automated terminal near Karnaphuli River estuary.
- GCB (General Cargo Berths): Multipurpose berths handling mixed containers and bulk cargo.
2. The 19 Off-Docks: The Engine of RMG Exports
- Dhaka / Gazipur Apparel Manufacturing Clusters: Dispatched in covered delivery vans via highway transit.
- 19 Private Off-Dock Container Depots (Patenga / Chittagong): (Incontrade, SAPL, Vertex, QNS, Esack) Unloading into bonded sheds, customs physical inspection, and stuffing into 20ft/40ft ocean shipping line containers.
- Chattogram Port Terminal Jetty (CCT / NCT / PCT): Prime movers transfer sealed containers into terminal staging yards for vessel loading via Quay Gantry Cranes.
3. Operational Best Practices at Depots
- Booking S/O Match: Verify that the forwarder has positioned clean, seaworthy empty containers at the depot.
- Tally Confirmation: Cross-check the depot supervisor's physical carton tally against your factory packing list before sealing.
Major Private Off-Dock Container Depots (ICDs) in Chittagong
| Depot Name | Location in Chittagong | Key Ocean Carriers Handled | Storage Capacity (TEUs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incontrade Limited | Laldiar Char, Patenga | Maersk Line, Safmarine, MSC | 8,000 TEUs |
| Summit Alliance Port Limited (SAPL) | Katgor, Patenga / Muktarpur | Hapag-Lloyd, ONE, CMA-CGM | 12,000 TEUs |
| Vertex Off-Dock Container Depot | Patenga, Chittagong | Cosco Shipping, Evergreen Line | 6,500 TEUs |
| QNS Container Services Ltd | North Patenga, Chittagong | Yang Ming, Wan Hai, OOCL | 5,500 TEUs |
| Ispahani Inland Container Depot | Pahartali, Chittagong | Regional Feeder Carriers | 4,500 TEUs |
Practical Commercial Flow
Factory finishes 80,000 knit polo shirts for a US brand. Forwarder books 4 x 40ft HC containers with Hapag-Lloyd, designating Summit Alliance Port Limited (SAPL) as the receiving depot. Commercial team dispatches 8 covered vans from Gazipur with individual challans. Vans arrive at SAPL within 14 hours, cartons are unloaded into SAPL Shed #2, customs inspects, and cartons are stuffed into containers #HL-9910 to #HL-9913.
Factory Real-Life Scenario
Scenario: A truck convoy went to the wrong Off-Dock depot (Vertex instead of Incontrade) due to an incorrect dispatch memo, causing a 12-hour unloading delay.
Solution: Commercial Manager established a mandatory "Off-Dock Confirmation Slip" attached to every driver's gate pass clearly stating the nominated depot name, GPS coordinates, and forwarder booking ref.
Impact: Eliminated depot misrouting across all factory shipments.
Commercial Officer Best Practice
Always verify the nominated Off-Dock name on the shipping line's Shipping Order (S/O) or Booking Confirmation before loading trucks at your factory.
Top Beginner Mistakes to Avoid
- Dispatching trucks without confirming that the ocean shipping line has empty containers available at the nominated Off-Dock.
- Failing to instruct drivers to collect the Off-Dock Receiving Slip / Tally Sheet upon unloading.
Important Commercial & Trade Terminology (2 Terms)
Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit — the standard international unit of measurement for container cargo capacity based on the volume of a 20ft container.
💡 Note: 40ft container = 2 TEUs.Lift-on / Lift-off — the handling charge assessed by container depots and port terminals for lifting containers on and off transport chassis.
💡 Note: Standard depot fee.Interview Preparation Questions & Answers (2 Questions)
Master these high-frequency interview questions for Commercial Officer, Merchandising, and Export Executive roles.
Due to severe space constraints and high traffic volume inside the Chattogram Port protected area, Bangladesh Customs and the Port Authority mandated that all containerized RMG export cargo must be received, customs cleared, and stuffed at 19 privately operated Inland Container Depots (Off-Docks) outside the port, preventing congestion at terminal berths.
Frequently Asked Questions (1 FAQs)
Clear, beginner-friendly answers to the most common questions about the Commercial Department.
Key Takeaways & Summary Points
Executive Lesson Summary
Understanding Chattogram Port infrastructure and private Off-Dock operations ensures streamlined cargo routing, rapid stuffing, and dependable vessel connections.
Lesson Downloads & SOP Templates
CBM and Container Loading: A Guide for Garment Shipment Planning
Comprehensive industry standard guide.
Read Guide