Container Feeder Operations at Chattogram
From Booking to Actual Connection

Feeder Status Is a Chain of Separate Milestones

A feeder booking request is not a confirmed slot. Gate-in is not loading. A loaded list is not actual sailing, and feeder sailing is not proof of onward mainline connection. The local file should record each milestone with its source, timestamp and responsible party.

CPA acts as the appointed Bangladesh NVOCC Agent or Shipping Agent only for the accepted scope. The carrier controls space, routing and connection decisions; the terminal controls physical gate, yard and loading records; Customs and the nominated C&F route retain their statutory roles. Terminal, depot and feeder cut-offs change; obtain a current local position rather than a generic average.

Export Feeder File: Request, Gate-In, Load and Sailing

The export file opens with the principal’s route, equipment, cargo, DG position and intended sailing. Carrier acceptance, equipment position and cut-offs remain carrier-controlled. HBL, MBL, shipping instruction, VGM and manifest dependencies stay with the responsible filing route.

Gate-in confirms the unit entered the accepted terminal or depot. It does not confirm loading. CPA reconciles the available terminal and carrier records unit by unit, reports any mismatch, and issues actual sailing only when the responsible operating record supports it.

Cut-off types may include documentation, VGM, DG, gate-in and terminal requirements. Every deadline should carry a stated time basis.

Import Feeder File: Connection, Discharge and Release Dependencies

The carrier advises the hub, intended feeder and Bangladesh connection. CPA keeps planned connection separate from actual connection and reports omission, rollover or changed routing as an exception. Discharge is reported from the available vessel or terminal record.

Delivery Order readiness, importer instructions, Bill of Entry, Customs assessment and release remain separate positions. The appointed C&F Agent or Customs Broker owns the declaration route; Customs controls assessment and release; the carrier controls Delivery Order status. CPA follows the file, reports the recorded position and identifies the item holding delivery or empty return.

Separate Rollover, Short Shipment and Omitted Connection

Rollover means the accepted or planned movement moves to a later sailing. Short shipment means a booked or gated unit is not loaded as expected. Omitted onward connection means the next planned connection does not occur or changes. Each exception requires the affected units, evidence source, reason/status supplied by the responsible party, next available option, changed cost or free-time exposure and approval contact.

No local agent can guarantee a feeder or mainline connection. CPA reports the current carrier/terminal status and the next decision required.

Who Owns the Status and Decision

Carrier/MLO: booking acceptance, route, space, equipment allocation, feeder/mainline connection and sailing decision. NVOCC principal: customer carriage, HBL and commercial instruction. Bangladesh NVOCC Agent: appointed local document, unit, exception, evidence and SOA reporting. Shipping Agent: vessel-call and statutory vessel filing responsibilities under its appointment. Terminal/depot: physical gate, yard, loading/discharge and receipt records. Importer/exporter and C&F: goods declaration and Customs follow-up; Customs decides release.

What a Useful Feeder Report Returns

For each booking or unit, report the requested and carrier-confirmed sailing, cut-off and time basis, gate-in, loaded/discharged position, actual sailing/connection status, pending party, exception age, next action, free-time or cost exposure, approval required, evidence reference and report recipients. At close-out, return the final unit list, movement evidence, empty-return or onward-connection position and open-item register.