The majority of 68 new pieces of container handling equipment, brought in to Chittagong Port to alleviate cargo throughput problems, remain unused due to a lack of skilled manpower.

The Bangladesh Independent said the equipment, 13 straddle carriers, nine reach stackers, 22 tractors and 24 trailers, had been imported and was ready for use, but the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) needed 166 skilled and unskilled employees to operate the equipment.

Following procurement of the equipment, container handling capacity at the port was expected to rise substantially, but nothing would happen until the government approved employment of the workers, the report said.

The 68 machines at the port are part of a 79-unit first stage procurement deal the CPA reached with undisclosed manufacturers. The remaining 11 units are expected soon. The second phase of procurement would be another 63 pieces of equipment -- 17 trailers, eight forklifts, 26 tractors, nine reach stackers and six rubber-tyred gantries.