Port of Chittagong achieved a 7.4% growth in container handling in 2024 compared to 2023, despite severe political unrest and recurrent floods.
The major port of Bangladesh handled a total of 3.276 million TEUs in the just concluded year, compared to 3.05 million TEUs in 2023, which is a record in the history of the port.
Additionally, the port handled 123 million tonnes of cargo during the year, registering a 3.1% growth compared to 2023. Moreover, some 3,867 vessels were called at the port in 2024, according to Chittagong Port Authority chairman Rear Admiral SM Moniruzzaman.
“We have achieved a record in container handling in 2024 though the functioning at the port saw disruptions for nearly a month due to student uprising, internet cut, and flooding-related problems,” he noted.
The port chairman pointed out that last year’s revenue increased while expenditure was lower. Meantime, the Inland Container Depots in Chittagong also saw a significant rise in box handling in the just concluded calendar year. The 19 private sector’s off-docks handled some 750,559 TEU export containers in 2024, up 13.5% from the previous year.
Also, the off-docks handled 268,499 TEUs of import goods-laden containers in the just concluded year registering a 24% growth from 2023 levels. The off-docks also handled 624,302 TEUs of empty containers in the year under review, up from 582,605 TEUs handled in 2023.
The port authority chairman said the decision has been taken to deliver all the imported FCL containers through the off-docks instead of delivering them from the port yard which will help free the port yard space creating scope to handle more boxes.
Once the FCL container delivery activities are shifted to the off-docks, the existing port facilities will be able to handle an additional 1 million TEUs.
Sharar Nayel
Asia Correspondent
