Container handling at Chattogram Port, the country’s main seaport, reached at 31,68,690 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) in the fiscal year of 2023-24 — marking a 5.36 per cent growth by 1,61,346 TEUs in a year.
During the same period, cargo handling increased by 18.1 per cent while ship handling dropped, according to latest data.
In FY2022-23, container handling at the port was 30,07,344 TEUs.
According to Chittagong Port Authority sources, about 92 per cent of the country's import and export trade activities are carried out through the port. Industrial raw materials, capital machinery and commercial goods are all brought in containers through this port. Almost all of the export products by sea are also sent in containers.
As a result, the overall picture of the country's economy can be sensed by calculating the number of container handling at this port.
Cargo handling increased to 12,32,42,748 tonnes in FY24 at Chattogram Port, which was 11,82,97,643 tonnes in FY23. That means cargo handling by the port increased by 49,45,105 tonnes in one year, which is a 4.18 per cent growth.
On the other hand, the arrival of ships at the port has dropped. In FY24, 3,971 ships arrived with cargo and container. It was 4,253 in FY23, which means ship handling fell by 282 in a year.
Importers and port users said that since mid-2022, the Russia-Ukraine war and the dollar crisis have reduced the import of goods, and in 2023, Bangladesh Bank was in a stricter position to control imports throughout the year.
These led to reduced imports and exports of the country in FY23. As a result, the port's container handling has dropped.
Although the exchange rate of the dollar has increased, import and export activities have become normal. As a result, container and cargo handling of the port has increased.
Port officials said that the operational and container transport capacity of Chattogram Port has increased in recent years, following addition of new equipment in port services, inauguration of the Patenga Container Terminal, rising range of the port's waters and inclusion of new multidimensional facilities.
Chittagong Port Authority Secretary Mohd Omar Faruk said that the last financial year was successful. The Covid-19 pandemic, Russia-Ukraine war and recent tensions in the Middle East have slowed down the expected pace of the global economy but have not had much impact on container handling at Chattogram Port.
“After completing the unloading of a ship in maximum two days, the authorities are releasing them. As a result, almost all our indicators have improved,” he said.
