CPA seeks details of rain-damaged cargo after rejecting liability claims

The Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) has sought information on cargo damaged during recent heavy rainfalls, marking a shift from its earlier position that it would not accept any liability or compensation claims for goods affected by waterlogging inside the port.

The port on Tuesday (21 July) issued a notice asking C&F agents to submit details of import and export cargo damaged by the flooding at port yards. Rokonuddin Mahmud, port affairs secretary of the Chattogram Customs Agents Association, confirmed receiving the notice.

"We have already forwarded the notice to our members, asking them to report any loss or damage caused by waterlogging inside the port. We are yet to receive their response," he told The Business Standard.

The move comes less than two weeks after the CPA issued a strongly worded notice stating that it would not be liable for any damage to cargo caused by continuous rainfall, describing the incident as an "Act of God".

In the 10 July notice, signed by Director (Transport) Golam Mohammad Sarwarul Islam, CPA cited relevant legal provisions and declared that it would deny, reject, and disclaim any compensation claims arising from damage to goods stored in what it described as protected areas of the port.

The notice triggered strong criticism from the country's four leading trade bodies -- Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA), and the Chattogram Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI).

The organisations later wrote to the government demanding compensation for affected businesses.

Following the criticism, CPA has now started collecting information on damaged cargo.

Attempts to contact Sarwarul for comments were unsuccessful.

When contacted, CPA Secretary Sayed Refayet Hamim told TBS that he was not aware of the notice and would look into the matter with the relevant department.

"I am not aware of the notice. After speaking to the concerned department, I will inform you about the matter," he said.

However, he did not respond with any further comments by the time this report was filed.

Earlier on 5 July, continuous heavy rainfall triggered severe waterlogging across Chattogram city, inundating several container yards inside the port. Water reportedly entered containers after accumulating around their bases, damaging imported and export-bound goods.

Similar incidents were also reported at several private inland container depots linked to the port. Images of waterlogged cargo circulating on social media prompted widespread criticism from traders and renewed calls for compensation from the port authority.