CHATTOGRAM, July 3: The Chattogram Port, the country's principal seaport, has set a new record in container handling during the fiscal year 2024-25, managing 32,96,067 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), the highest in its 48-year history of container operations since 1977.
According to a press release issued by the Chattogram Port Authority (CPA), this marks an increase of 1,27,377 TEUs compared to the 31,68,690 TEUs handled in the previous fiscal year (2023-24), reflecting a year-on-year growth of 4%.
In 2020-21 the port handled 30,04,142 TEUs, 30,97,236 TEUs in 2021-22, 32,55,358 TEUs in 2022-23, 30,07,375 TEUs in 2023-24 and 32,96,067 TEUs in 2024-25.
The latest figure surpasses all previous records and includes operations conducted from the main jetty, Kamalapur Inland Container Depot (ICD), and Pangaon Inland Container Terminal-covering both import-export and empty containers.
In addition to container throughput, cargo handling and ship arrivals also saw growth. The port handled 130 million tonnes of open (non-containerized) cargo in FY25, up from 120 million tonnes in FY24-an increase of 6.07%.
Ship arrivals rose to 4,077 in the last fiscal year, up from 3,971 the year before.
Currently, 23% of all imports through Chattogram arrive in containers, while the remaining 77% are bulk cargo or liquid cargo, including oil and chemicals. Among vessels calling at the port:
* 45% are container ships
* 45% are bulk carriers
* 10% are liquid bulk vessels
Chattogram Port handles nearly 99% of Bangladesh's total container trade.
CPA officials and trade analysts noted that the growth in container and cargo handling came despite several challenges, including multiple protest movements by National Board of Revenue (NBR) employees and ongoing global supply chain disruptions.
"This is the highest container handling figure in our history," said Muhammad Omar Faruk, Secretary of the CPA. "All officers, staff, and stakeholders worked with dedication to achieve this. We thank everyone for their contributions."
Chattogram Port currently ranks 67th among the world's busiest container ports, according to Lloyd's List, a London-based shipping and maritime intelligence publication.
