Ctg port poised for record container, cargo handling this year

Combating significant challenges over trades at home and abroad, Chattogram port is set to create new records in container and cargo handling in the current calendar year, compared to previous years.

The port has already secured its position in the “Three Million Club” by handing over three million containers by the first few days of this month.

Concerned sources credited the increased import and export trades, efforts of the port authorities, and cooperation from the stakeholders for the achievement.

According to the data from the Chattogram Port Authority (CPA), as of 18 December, the country’s premier seaport handled 3,163,699 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of containers and 119,292,989 tonnes of cargo since January this year.

The volume was 2992,532 containers and 112793,337 tonnes cargo in the 11 months till 30 November.

In the first 18 days of the current month, it handled 171,167 TEUs of containers and 64,99,652 tonnes of cargo, registering an average handling of around 9,509 containers and 361,091 tonnes of cargo per day.

If everything goes well keeping consistency with the average output, the port’s container handling is likely to stand at 294,779 TEUs and cargo at 11,193,821 tonnes in December, totaling the number of handled containers at 3,287,311 TEUs and the cargos at 123,987,158 tonnes, said the port officials

The volumes will be record high in the container and cargo handling among the last few years.

Meanwhile, 3,738 vessels arrived with the containers and cargo at the port till 18 December. As many as 4,103, 4,361, 4,209, 3,728 and 3,807 vessels arrived at the port in 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019 respectively, according to statistics.

The port is going to achieve the milestone overcoming the “unprecedented” backlogs it witnessed due to curfews, internet shutdowns, public holidays and the subsequent flooding in July and August this year.

The number of containers stored in the port yards dropped significantly, decreasing from 45,500 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) – about 85% of its storage capacity of 53,581 TEUs – to 32,480 TEUs in November.

Moreover, the waiting times for vessels at the port’s outer anchorage have been reduced from 6-7 days to just 1-2 days, with some ships receiving immediate berthing, according to sources at the port.

The CPA also reported earnings of around Tk1,992 crore over this July-November period.

Its earnings were Tk3,631.83 crore, 4,072.55 crore, 4,438.93 crore and Tk4,773.73 core in the FY21, FY22, FY23 and FY24, respectively.

CPA Chairman Rear Admiral SM Moniruzzaman in a views-exchange meeting with journalists last month said instability of the global economy, high inflation, COVID-19 pandemic, Russia-Ukraine war and the subsequent Middle East crisis are also reflected in the economy of Bangladesh.

Despite these adverse situations, CPA has maintained the continuity of cargo and container handling through its expertise and experience, he said.

CPA Secretary Md Omar Faruk noted that Chattogram port could get back on the right track following different measures and sincere efforts by officials and employees.

The stakeholders also played a vital role by cooperating with the port in its activities throughout the year, he said, adding that implementation of the ongoing projects centring the port will enhance its capacity to a larger extent in the coming days.

Bangladesh Shipping Agents Association President Syed Mohammad Arif observed that the increase in container and cargo handling indicates a surge in foreign trades of the country.

“The present situation will help portray a positive image of the port across the globe and reduce the costs of transportation of goods,” he added.