The import and export of container cargo through Chattogram port increased significantly in January, driven by rising imports ahead of Ramadan and a gradual increase in export orders for readymade garments.

According to foreign shipping lines, export-laden container shipments rose by 18.23 percent year-on-year to 75,234 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) in January through the port, which handles around 98 percent of the containerised goods transported to and from Bangladesh.

The January figure was slightly higher than that of December last year, which stood at 74,495 TEUs.

Meanwhile, the number of import-laden containers unloaded at the port in January reached a seven-month high of 124,039 TEUs, marking a 10.66 percent year-on-year increase and a 3.74 percent rise compared to December 2024.

Around 75 percent of the total containerised imports through the port comprised raw materials for the export-oriented readymade garment sector.

The import volume increased in January due to a seasonal surge in garment raw material imports for upcoming orders, along with a rise in Ramadan-related cargo, particularly chickpeas and essential commodities, said Muntasir Rubayat, head of operations at feeder vessel operating firm GBX Logistics.

"Our imports were relatively slow in the earlier months of last year since some banks had halted the issuance of letters of credit, leaving importers unable to carry out transactions," said Rubayat, who is also a leader of the Bangladesh Shipping Agents' Association.

Despite challenging conditions at home and abroad, Bangladesh's garment exports grew by 7.23 percent year-on-year to $38.48 billion in 2024, according to the Export Promotion Bureau.

Apparel shipments from the country began rebounding in September, and the trend continued until January, industry experts said.

The garment sector has been receiving better export orders over the past few months, said Syed M Tanvir, managing director of Pacific Jeans, one of the leading denim exporters of Bangladesh.

Tanvir expressed optimism that the garment sector would continue to recover this year, aided by a potential shift in orders from China due to the US tariff hike.

Bangladesh's proven capacity in the RMG sector would position it as a preferred choice if there is any shift in export orders, he added.