Container congestion shows no sign of easing off; will it impact food imports?

• Current gated-out number falls way below
• Contraband found at times in containers marked for green-channeling 

By Kelum Bandara 
With congestion in the release of import containers at  Colombo still showing no sign of easing off any time soon, there is  fear whether it will trigger an impact on essential food items being  imported.  
An official of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) said a large number of import containers are stuck at the port.  
Earlier, Sri Lanka Customs, at a meeting with President  Anura Kumara Dissanayake agreed to work 24 hours to clear a backlog of  import containers. The official said the congestion stemmed from the  moves by Sri Lanka Customs to physically examine import containers  marked for green-channeling.   
“This is one reason which triggered the congestion  initially. Sri Lanka Customs started doing so since contraband were  found inside some containers. For example, there was a vehicle inside a  container declared as spare parts,” he said.   
However, the Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and  Civil Aviation said that the daily target of clearing and gating out  containers had not yet been met, and congestion had aggravated as a  result. According to the Ministry, at least 1,500-2,000 containers  should be gated out daily to ease off the congestion, yet the number  handled falls far below the target. The government is at a loss to take  tough action against customs workers, fearing any trade union action by  them will lead to a major crisis, according to a source.   
A Ministry source said that there is a lack of cooperation  from Customs workers in dealing with the crisis. A 5-acre plot is now  earmarked in the Bloemendhal area of the port for storing containers  pending investigation, as a step to address the current crisis.   
Asked for a comment about the possible impact on food  imports, a spokesman for the Essential Commodities Importers’ and  Traders’ Association said perishable food items are released without any  hassle, but there is a delay- a day or two- in gating out containers  with dry items.  
He said the delay involves payment in terms of demurrage charges.  
“There is no major crisis at the moment. If it worsens, it may impact wholesale and retail prices,” he said.