Cyclone disrupts sea and airport operations in Bangladesh, Myanmar

Super-cyclone Mocha, which pounded Bangladesh and Myanmar’s coasts on Sunday 14^th May, led to the suspension of operations at both Chittagong and Mongla seaports and Sittwe port in Myanmar. More delays are expected.

Sittwe port, part financed by India, only opened last week, with the first ship arriving last Tuesday. The city was devastated by the cyclonic storm, which killed at least three people and wrecking roads and destroying homes and other establishments.  Operations at the port were suspended on Friday as cyclone Mocha approached.

On Friday, Bangladesh’s Met Office rated the cyclone as ‘high risk’, while Chittagong Port Authority suspended operations, removing all vessels from jetties and sending them to mid-sea to avoid damage. Container handling at jetties was also suspended.  Chittagong said it would resume handling ships on Monday morning, after almost 60 hours, and is bringing back 17 vessels to the jetties.

Stakeholders say container loading and unloading and delivery at port yards were delayed for more than two days, causing a knock-on effect for importers.

A source at the port of Yangon said there had been no stoppage of operations over the weekend although there was a slowdown in operations, but it had no impact and there were no delays.

Source : The Loadstar

Picture : Lavizzara