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The Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with US-based EagleRail Container Logistics with the aim to transform and improve throughput on Chittagong’s overcrowded and gridlocked port roads and gates.
The logistics company is being considered for official insertion into the Chittagong Master Plan for the new Bay Container Terminal (BCT) connecting it to the Karnaphuli River Terminals (NCT, CCT and GCB) and both expanded railheads that connect container rail traffic to Dhaka.
EagleRail is also being considered as part of the master design for the new and expanded Customs Clearance operation (for all terminals) with the aim to increase the number of containers that get scanned in-line.
Ian Harris, vice president strategic sales at COSCO Shipping Lines Inc., said: “With the continued growth in global trade and ships now several times larger than their predecessors only a decade ago, ports constantly struggle to keep their yards unclogged and functioning properly.
“The terminals need a higher velocity and higher flow technology than individual trucks or legacy on-dock rail where availability is hampered by railcar imbalances or engine and power shortages.”
EagleRail has created the first automated, patented and environmentally conscious system to increase port throughput and capacity.
Its technology and infrastructure solution replaces the reliance on manual diesel trucks with a short-haul, suspended overhead container movement system that quickly lifts containers and shuttles them to local yards or intermodal transportation hubs.
This solution enables operators to bypass ground obstacles, including roadways and open water and offers emission-free operations which reduce CO2 emissions up to 60% when compared to diesel trucks according to EagleRail.
Mike Wychocki, CEO of EagleRail Container Logistics, said: “We are honoured that officials in Bangladesh have given the green light to investigate the ways EagleRail can reduce crippling gridlock and improve the efficiencies between their existing and new terminals and intermodal connections.
“The gridlock of commerce occurring between ports and intermodal points can no longer be ignored, and that’s why authorities from 17 countries are in discussions with us to study potential port and rail throughput improvement rates by bringing out patented solution to their nations.”
To help deliver its solution in Bangladesh, EagleRail is partnering with local infrastructure and technology consulting firm Cosmos Group which is based in Dhaka and Chattogram.
Enayetullah Khan, founder and chairman of the Cosmos Group, said: “EagleRail’s innovative solution shall greatly help with sustaining Bangladesh’s continued growth, through the highly efficient and accurate handling of cargo at Chittagong port.”
In addition to the MoU signed in Bangladesh, EagleRail also has an agreement in place in Gujarat, India, with other system implementation discussions underway in Brazil, South Africa and China.