Chattogram Port made a new record in container handling last year despite global crises and political unrest.
The port handled 32.67 lakh TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of containers from January 1 to December 30 in the last year. Earlier in 2021, Chattogram Port handled a total of 32 lakh 14 thousand 448 TEUs of containers, which was the highest number in the port’s history.
Bangladesh Freight Forwarders Association (BAFFA) vice-president Khairul Alam Sujan said Chatotgram port is now stable. It can deliver up to 5,000 containers daily amid limited infrastructures and manpower.
The container handling in Chattogram port was launched in 1977. Since then, the port handled the highest number of containers in the last year (2024).
According to the port authority, the achievement has become possible due to the arrival of big ships, increased capacity of the yard, inclusion of new equipment, skilled management, and sincerity of the port officials, employees, workers and users.
Chattogram Port Director (traffic) Enamul Karim said previously, the port’s jetty could not accommodate large ships with a length of 9 meters. At present, ships of 9 and a half to 10 meters can also arrive. The port’s yard can hold about 58,000 TEUs of containers. Apart from this, 104 new equipment have been added to the port. As a result, the capacity of the port has increased.
Chittagong Port entered the 'three million club' in container handling in 2019 for the first time. The port handled 30 lakh 88 thousand 187 containers at that time. In 2020, the rhythm fell due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. It handled 28 lakh 39 thousand 977 TEUs of containers in that year. In 2021, the port made a new record crossing 32 lakh containers. After that, 30 lakh was crossed two times, but the port, which transports 92 per cent of the country's goods by sea, could not break that record in 2021. In 2022, it handled 31 lakh 42 thousand 504 TEUs and 30 lakh 50 thousand TEUs of containers in 2023.
Currently, Chittagong Port is ranked 67th among the world's top 100 container ports in the ranking of 'Lloyd's List', the UK-based magazine on shipping. By increasing the handling numbers last year, there is an opportunity to improve a few steps in the global list in the future.
bd-prtatidin/GR
