A container carrying fabric rolls worth Tk3 crore has allegedly gone missing from Chattogram Port, triggering concern among port authorities and prompting an investigation into the incident.

The port authorities formed a committee to investigate how the container went missing, said Chattogram Port Secretary Syed Refayet Hamim.

Meanwhile, SRS Syndicate, the clearing and forwarding (C&F) agent handling the shipment, has submitted a written complaint to the chairman of Chattogram Port Authority over the missing container.

Sources said, the container was unloaded at NCT-2 berth from the vessel MV MCC Danang on 15 August.

The 40-foot FCL container was carrying 668 bales of fabric imported for Gold Star Garments Ltd, an export-oriented garment factory based in Savar.

Customs sources said SRS Syndicate, on behalf of the importer, submitted the bill of entry through the Customs ASYCUDA World system on 22 August to complete the process for releasing the goods.

After paying all applicable customs duties and port charges, the C&F agent went to the port’s CCT yard on 30 August to take delivery of the container. However, port authorities failed to locate and hand over the container.

Md Hafizur Rahman, proprietor of SRS Syndicate, said they approached the port authorities on 30 August to collect the container but were informed that it could not be located.

“After searching for the container for several days without success, we submitted a written complaint to the port chairman,” he said.

Rahman said the missing container contained fabric worth approximately Tk3 crore.

“The importer, Gold Star Garments, is now facing serious difficulties as it has not received the fabric on time. As a result, the company may fail to deliver its export products to buyers within the scheduled deadline,” he added.

“The investigation is currently underway,” said Refayet.