The Chattogram Port has made significant progress toward introducing paperless operations as the country's prime seaport officially eliminated all manual or paper-based tasks in the delivery documentation process for unloading goods on July 1. From now on, every procedure from the application for delivery orders to the final exit at the port's gate will be conducted entirely on a digital platform.
Complete Digital Transition
Md Nasir Uddin, Acting Secretary of Chattogram Port Authority (CPA), announced the development. The port has been managing vessel and container movements within the port through the terminal operating system since 2011. However, full utilization has not been possible due to the absence of complete automation. Previously, only two stages—the Electronic Delivery Order (EDU) application and EDU generation—were conducted online, while all other activities required manual intervention. From now on, every aspect of the delivery documentation process will be entirely managed within the digital terminal operating system.
Enhanced Security and Compliance
A key feature of the upgraded system is its complete sequential nature. There will be no possibility for any customer or C&F agent to bypass any step and move on to the subsequent one. The next step will only be automatically unlocked by the system once the preceding step is successfully completed and verified. To enhance security and ensure legal compliance, the port's terminal operating system is now integrated with the National Board of Revenue's Asycuda World system in real time.
If customs authorities decide to block or detain any container or goods at any stage of the process, that information will be instantly relayed to the port's terminal operating system in real time. Upon receiving the information, the system will automatically halt all subsequent actions related to that file, pausing the process until final customs clearance is obtained.
Benefits and Future Implications
This fully automated transition will lead to significant positive transformations within the maritime trade ecosystem. The initiative will also greatly reduce paper usage and printing expenses associated with office tasks, thereby promoting environmental sustainability. The CPA Acting Secretary added that the documentation process will now be expedited as there will be no requirement to physically move from one desk to another, saving valuable time for all parties involved, including C&F agents, traders, and the port.
Since every step is automatically validated within the digital system, it will be possible to eliminate all forms of fraud, the use of counterfeit documents, and administrative irregularities. Nasir Uddin mentioned that as each step is conducted online, users will be able to log into their personal panel from any location at any time, allowing them to instantly check the status of their documents or files.
Modern and Efficient Gateway
This digital transformation represents a significant advancement for Chattogram Port, further solidifying its role as a modern, transparent, and efficient gateway to international trade. The port's move towards full digitalization is expected to set a precedent for other ports in the region, encouraging them to adopt similar measures to enhance efficiency and reduce operational costs.
