|
Chittagong touts SMS box spotter and sees 24-hour turnarounds
POSTED: 1:19 p.m. EDT, May 8,2007
Saif Powertech, which runs the Chittagong Container Terminal, predicts a 24-hour ship turnaround and boasts of a near instant SMS box location service.
A company statement said shippers will be able to locate containers in less than a minute instead of the two to three days previously required.
A new yard-planning programme will also help cut container-search times and optimise yard use, said a Saif Powertech statement.
Shippers need only go to message option on their mobile phones and key the "Saif container number", then send an SMS message to 7464 for grameenphone or 7890 for Aktel, Banglalink, CityCell and Teletalk. Once linked, the container location will be sent back in 30 seconds. @FAXTEXT ="The SMS service is the primary step towards complete automation of the container terminal," Saif Powertec managing director R Amin said.
Saif Powertec took over management of CCT in early March this year as part of Chittagong Port Authority's privatisation.
Saif Powertec operates four gantry cranes and plans to turnaround each ship within 24 hours, raising Bangladesh port service to world class standards.
Chittagong has recently overcome the longstanding vessel congestion at outer anchorage thanks to 24/7 gantry crane operations, said Saif Powertec.
Even as recently as three months ago, feeder vessels had to wait for seven to 15 days for lack of berthing and back up space at the terminal, the company said.
Said Mr Amin: "The pace in container handling at the terminal has now become at par with other regional seaports. The businesses are benefiting from the improvement of port services as it has drastically reduced the cost of ship operations, port charges and others. The benefit will also reach the end users in the long run." |
|
RELATED