Exploring the Challenges of Inland Container Depot (ICD) Development

Md Mostafa Aziz Shaheen; Humayun Rashid Askari

doi:10.53941/ijtlr.2026.100007

Abstract

Inland container depots (ICDs) are vital components of the global trade and logistics system for processing a substantial number of import, export and empty containers in Bangladesh. Despite playing a crucial role in easing port congestion and facilitating cargo flow, ICDs face several challenges that compromise operational effectiveness and service quality. This study investigates ICD challenges in Bangladesh through semi-structured interviews with port officials, ICD operators, freight forwarders and academics. The study reveals that policy inconsistencies lead to legal and regulatory impediments, operational inefficiencies, poor infrastructure, safety and security concerns, and location-specific restrictions as the challenges exist. The results demonstrate the urgent need for consistent legislation, infrastructure, and automation investment; improving road and rail networks; and initiating capacity-building programs. Addressing these issues through strategic planning and public–private partnerships would improve ICD performance and enhance supply chain competitiveness in Bangladesh.

References

1.
Jaržemskis, A.; Vasiliauskas, A.V. Research on dry port concept as intermodal node. Transport 2007, 22, 207–213. https://doi.org/10.3846/16484142.2007.9638126.
2.
Jeevan, J.; Chen, S.; Lee, E. The Challenges of Malaysian Dry Ports Development. Asian J. Shipp. Logist. 2015, 31, 109–134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajsl.2015.03.005.
3.
Rožić, T.; Rogić, K.; Bajor, I. Research Trends of Inland Terminals: A Literature Review. Promet Traffic Transp. 2016, 28, 539–548. https://doi.org/10.7307/ptt.v28i5.2090.
4.
Roso, V. The emergence and significance of dry ports: The case of the Port of Goteborg. World Rev. Intermodal Transp. Res. 2009, 2, 296. https://doi.org/10.1504/WRITR.2009.026209.
5.
Adejumo, I.A. Challenges of Inland Container Depots in Nigeria. Am. Sci. Res. J. Eng. Technol. Sci. 2020, 73, 76–87. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.34485.29920.
6.
Rusgiyarto, F.; Sjafruddin, A.; Frazila, R.B.; et al. Inland container depots effect for import container terminal performance at Koja container terminal, Jakarta based on optimization–simulation model. In Human-Dedicated Sustainable Product and Process Design: Materials, Resources, and Energy, Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Engineering, Technology, and Industrial Application (ICETIA), Surakarta, Indonesia, 13–14 December 2017; AIP Publishing: Melville, NY, USA, 2018; p. 020038. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5042894.
7.
Saha, R.C. Chattogram Port: A dedicated service institution to evolve the country boldly. Marit. Technol. Res. 2022, 5, 258294. https://doi.org/10.33175/mtr.2023.258294.
8.
Nunes-Vaz, R.; Arbon, P.; Steenkamp, M. Imperatives for health sector decision-support modelling. Int. J. Disaster Risk Reduct. 2019, 38, 101234. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2019.101234.
9.
Rahaman, M.; Khondoker, R.H.; Dey, P.; et al. Emergence of inland container depots (ICDs) and inland container terminals (ICTs) as a container decongestion strategy of Chittagong port authority. J. Civ. Eng. 2020, 48, 29–38.
10.
Shahjahan, A.S.M. Cargo Handling Equipment Productivity Analysis of the Chittagong Port Authority. 2000. Available online: https://commons.wmu.se/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1319&context=all_dissertations (accessed on 5 January 2025).
11.
Kathuria, S.; Malouche, M.M. Toward New Sources of Competitiveness in Bangladesh: Key Insights of the Diagnostic Trade Integration Study; World Bank: Washington, DC, USA, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1596/978-1-4648-0647-6.
12.
Chowdhury, M. Selection of Dry Port Location in the Hinterland of Chattogram Port: A Fuzzy AHP-BWM-PROMETHEE Approach. Master’s Thesis, World Maritime University Dissertations, Malmö, Sweden, 2020. Available online: https://commons.wmu.se/all_dissertations/1413 (accessed on 5 January 2025).
13.
Vessel and Cargo Operations. In Port Security Management, 2nd ed.; CRC Press: Boca Raton, FL, USA, 2014; pp. 227–252. https://doi.org/10.1201/b17142-10.
14.
Varese, E.; Marigo, D.S.; Lombardi, M. Dry Port: A Review on Concept, Classification, Functionalities and Technological Processes. Logistics 2020, 4, 29. https://doi.org/10.3390/logistics4040029.
15.
Saha, R.C.; Khalil, K.B. Policy Formulations to Establish More Dry Port Infrastructures to Increase Seaport Efficiency, Productivity, and Competitiveness in Bangladesh. Future Transp. 2025, 5, 69. https://doi.org/10.3390/futuretransp5020069.
16.
Barua, D. Container Handling at Private ICDs Rose 16% in 2024. The Daily Star. Available online: https://www.thedailystar.net/business/news/container-handling-private-icds-rose-16-2024-3791676 (accessed on 6 June 2026).
17.
Mannan, S.; Shaheen, M.M.A.; Saha, R. COVID-19: Chittagong Port and aftermath. WMU J. Marit. Aff. 2021, 20, 247–264. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13437-021-00234-2.
18.
Asian Development Bank. Bangladesh: South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Dhirasram Inland Container Depot Project. Available online: https://www.adb.org/projects/56172-002/main (accessed on 6 June 2026).
19.
Adhikary, T.S. Relocating Kamalapur ICD: Forever Stuck in Quagmir. The Daily Star. Available online: https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/relocating-kamalapur-icd-forever-stuck-quagmire-3362021 (accessed on 6 June 2026).
20.
Notteboom, T.; Rodrigue, J.-P. Inland Terminals within North American and European Supply Chains. Transp. Commun. Bull. Asia Pac. 2009, 78, 1–39.
21.
Lyons, L.; Lozano, A.; Granados, F.; et al. Impacts of time restriction on heavy truck corridors: The case study of Mexico City. Transp. Res. Part Policy Pract. 2017, 102, 119–129. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2017.03.012.
22.
Begum, H. Impact of port efficiency and productivity on the economy of Bangladesh: A case study of Chittagong port. Master’s Thesis, World Maritime University Dissertations, Malmö, Sweden, 2002. Available online: https://commons.wmu.se/all_dissertations/405 (accessed on 6 June 2026).
23.
Song, D. A Literature Review, Container Shipping Supply Chain: Planning Problems and Research Opportunities. Logistics 2021, 5, 41. https://doi.org/10.3390/logistics5020041.
24.
Eliakunda, W.; Mashoke, M.; Gurisha, Z. Assessing Dar es Salaam port logistics chain players’ service delivery factors and level of their integration for port efficiency and competitiveness. Int. J. Bus. Manag. Econ. Res. 2018, 9, 1468–1478.
25.
Bui, V.D.; Nguyen, H.P. The role of the inland container depot system in developing a sustainable transport system. Int. J. Knowl. Based Dev. 2022, 12, 424. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJKBD.2022.128914.
26.
Lim, W.M. What Is Qualitative Research? An Overview and Guidelines. Australas. Mark. J. 2025, 33, 199–229. https://doi.org/10.1177/14413582241264619.
27.
Guest, G.; Bunce, A.; Johnson, L. How Many Interviews Are Enough?: An Experiment with Data Saturation and Variability. Field Methods 2006, 18, 59–82. https://doi.org/10.1177/1525822X05279903.
28.
Braun, V.; Clarke, V. Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qual. Res. Psychol. 2006, 3, 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa.
29.
DiMaggio, P.J.; Powell, W.W. The Iron Cage Revisited: Institutional Isomorphism and Collective Rationality in Organizational Fields. Am. Sociol. Rev. 1983, 48, 147. https://doi.org/10.2307/2095101.
30.
Chowdhury, M.M.H.; Shaheen, M.M.A.; Huda, S.; et al. Measuring the operational efficiency of dry ports using DEA approach. J. Shipp. Trade 2026, 11, 21. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41072-026-00239-1.

Scilight Press

Author Information

Abstract

Keywords

References

About Scilight

Journals

Publishing Policies

Contact Us