Chattogram Port has recorded strong growth in cargo, container and vessel handling in 2025, while ship waiting time at the outer anchorage dropped to zero on several days, according to a press release issued by the port authority on 24 November.
In the first ten months of 2025, the country’s main seaport handled 28,49,542 TEUs, 11.50 million tonnes of cargo and 3,552 vessels. These figures reflect year on year growth of 4.87 percent in container volume, 12.64 percent in cargo handling and 10.97 percent in ship arrivals. Compared to the same period last year, the port processed 1,32,328 more TEUs, 1.29 million tonnes of additional cargo and 351 more vessels.
This upward trend continued in the current fiscal year. From July to October, the port handled 12,13,805 TEUs, 4.52 million tonnes of cargo and 1,422 vessels, representing increases of 10.15 percent in containers, 15.76 percent in cargo and 11 percent in ship calls compared with last fiscal year.
The New Mooring Container Terminal, operated by Chittagong Dry Dock Ltd, also reported significant improvement. In the first four months of FY2025 to 2026, the terminal handled 4,68,871 TEUs and 253 vessels, marking 15.5 percent growth in container volume and 19.35 percent growth in vessel handling from the same period a year earlier.
Ship waiting time at the outer anchorage has fallen sharply due to improved operational efficiency. In September, waiting time dropped to zero for nine days. In October, ships waited zero days for berth allocation on eighteen occasions, and in November, the port achieved nineteen days of zero waiting time. Officials said vessels are now receiving berths on arrival, resulting in faster turnaround, quicker import clearance and more predictable container loading schedules for exporters.
This improvement in vessel handling has helped reduce lead time, benefiting both importers and exporters. Faster berthing has also supported price stability for consumers and improved the export sector’s competitiveness through timely shipment processing.
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The port authority attributed the overall growth to the availability of new cargo handling equipment, expanded yard capacity and wider use of digital technology in port operations. Strong coordination among port officials, workers and port users has also played an important role in sustaining higher efficiency.
During a recent visit, a Maersk delegation reviewed port operations and expressed satisfaction with the reduced waiting time and improved performance at the New Mooring Container Terminal as well as other facilities.
The port authority stated that these achievements are strengthening Chattogram Port’s international reputation and represent meaningful progress toward a more modern, efficient and globally competitive port management system.