Staff Correspondent:

Chattogram Port has launched an online gate pass system to streamline the transport of import and export goods, reducing both time and traffic congestion.

The system was officially inaugurated on Tuesday (February 18) by Rear Admiral SM Moniruzzaman, chairman of the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA).

With this digital initiative, the process of moving goods in and out of the port will become more efficient, expediting container operations. The Terminal Operating System (TOS) of Chattogram Port now includes this online gate pass feature, developed with technical assistance from DataSoft Systems Bangladesh Limited.

CPA Chairman Rear Admiral SM Moniruzzaman stated that the introduction of the online gate pass would enhance port efficiency, accelerating container handling, loading, and unloading operations.

He emphasised that the new system enables real-time monitoring of cargo movement, providing accurate data on vehicle traffic within the port and enhancing security measures.

To facilitate the online system, nearly 100,000 truck drivers and helpers involved in transporting goods at the port have been registered in the port’s database, along with their photographs. This registration process is ongoing, Moniruzzaman said.

Previously, port users had to queue up to collect gate passes manually, often causing traffic congestion on Airport Road. Vehicles would park along the roadside while drivers obtained passes, further contributing to traffic jams.

Mohammed Tazul Islam, second port affairs secretary of the Chattogram C&F Agents Association said, vehicles previously had to wait for hours to enter the port, which led to both traffic congestion and security concerns for transport workers. He stated that this long-standing issue has now been resolved.

Approximately 8,000 vehicles move through Chattogram Port daily to transport goods. Under the new system, the port entry fee of Tk 57.50 can now be paid in advance via mobile banking before reaching the gate. This eliminates the need for manual transactions at the gate, reducing vehicle entry time from 15-20 minutes to just 1-2 minutes.

According to the Chattogram Port Authority, the Terminal Operating System (TOS) will manage this digital gate pass system, ensuring seamless operations. While the entry fee remains unchanged, vehicles will now be able to enter the port yard directly by showing their digital payment records.

Chattogram Port’s journey towards digitalisation began in 2012 with the introduction of the Computerized Container Terminal Management System (CTMS). Over time, the system has been upgraded to the Terminal Operating System (TOS), which now facilitates this latest advancement in port operations.