Chittagong Port has set new records for container and cargo handling, marking a significant achievement as the year draws to a close, said the port authority.
As of December 28, with three days remaining in the year, the port has handled 32.5 lakh (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) TEUs in containers and approximately 12.5 crore tonnes in cargo.
The port authorities anticipate that at least another 30,000 containers could be handled in the final days of December.
The port authorities revealed these figures on Sunday (29 December), stating that they have surpassed all previous records for both container and cargo handling.
With the resolution of complications surrounding the opening of letters of credit for luxury goods, imports have increased, and export activities have gained momentum.
Officials from the port have highlighted several factors behind this achievement, including the expansion of new yards, the addition of modern container handling equipment, and the efficiency of faster delivery systems.
These improvements have allowed ships to unload cargo swiftly, leading to shorter waiting times and quicker berthing.
According to Chittagong Port statistics, from January to December 2024, the port handled 32.5 lakh TEUs in containers and 12.5 crore tonnes in cargo.
In comparison, 2023 saw the handling of 30.23 lakh TEUs and 12.02 crore tonnes of cargo, while 2022 saw 31.42 lakh TEUs and 11.96 crore tonnes. In 2021, the figures were 32.14 lakh TEUs and 11.66 crore tonnes.
The highest container handling in 2024 occurred in May, with 3.19 lakh TEUs, while the lowest was in February, with 2.45 lakh TEUs. December has seen 2.57 lakh TEUs handled by the 28th.
Chittagong Port Director (Traffic) Mohammad Enamul Karim told the press that the port's jetty terminals can now accommodate vessels as long as 200 meters and with a 10-meter draft, compared to the previous 186-meter-long vessels with a 9.5-metre draft. The capacity to carry between 2,500 to 2,800 containers per ship has significantly reduced transportation time and costs for businesses.
Port Secretary Omar Faruk noted that the speed and capacity of the port have increased significantly compared to previous years.
The addition of new equipment has contributed to faster berthing, which has played a crucial role in the port's growth in 2024.
He also acknowledged that all past records for container and cargo handling had been broken, emphasising that the port’s continued progress is due to collective efforts and overcoming challenges.
Business owners have pointed out that early in the year, Chittagong Port was not on track to surpass previous records.
However, after the resolution of the dollar crisis and political instability, which had threatened to undermine the country’s global ranking, the opening of letters of credit has increased, driving both imports and exports.
The arrival of larger vessels has allowed for more containers and goods to be handled, with fewer vessels required to transport them.
Shipping Agents Association Chairman Syed Mohammad Arif commented that the arrival of larger ships has increased the volume of goods coming into the country.
The ability to open letters of credit has also led to increased raw material imports, boosting industrial production.
This, in turn, has contributed to higher export volumes, particularly in the garment sector, where both orders and stability have been maintained.
The seasonal demand for Ramadan-related imports has also positively impacted the port’s performance, with a rise in the opening of letters of credit and increased imports of cement raw materials, stones, fruits, and scrap metal driving the new record.
Khairul Alam Sujon, vice president of the Bangladesh Freight Forwarders Association, noted that the easing of the dollar shortage has revitalised both import and export activities.
In contrast to the 4,103 ships that docked at the port in 2023, 3,822 vessels have arrived in 2024.
While imports and exports were affected during the July-August period due to political unrest, the post-5 August period has seen an increase in remittances and a reduction in the dollar crisis, contributing to a recovery in trade.
As a result, Chittagong Port has broken all its previous records for container and cargo handling, marking a strong close to the year.
