Ctg port hit several records in 2025 despite disruptions

Chattogram port recorded historic highs in container, cargo and vessel handling in 2025, although the year saw several disruptions to port operations.

In 2025, container handling by the port grew by 4.07 percent, overall cargo by 11.43 percent and vessel calls by 10.5 percent compared with the previous year, according to data provided by the traffic department of the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) yesterday.

The country's largest seaport, which handles around 92 percent of Bangladesh total import and export trade and 98 percent of containerised cargo, handled 34.09 lakh TEUs of export, import and empty containers from January to December 2025.

That was an increase of 133,442 TEUs from 32.76 lakh TEUs a year earlier.

This was the first time annual container throughput crossed 34 lakh TEUs since container operations began at the port in 1977, setting a new record.

Of the total, about 18.57 lakh TEUs were import containers and 15.52 lakh TEUs export containers. Roughly 750,000 TEUs were empty containers.

Read more

A turbulent year for the premier seaport

The port authority compiled the data by counting containers loaded and unloaded at the port's main jetties, the Pangaon Inland Container Terminal in Keraniganj and the Kamalapur Inland Container Depot in Dhaka.

The port managed 13.82 crore tonnes of cargo in 2025, up from 12.40 crore tonnes a year earlier, an increase of 1.42 crore tonnes. Vessel calls rose to 4,273, compared with 3,867 in 2024.

Throughout 2025, port operations faced a series of disruptions. Yard congestion led to vessel queues and longer waiting times at various points during the year.

Port officials said a series of reforms, including digital upgrades and expanded yard capacity, helped ease pressure. By the final quarter, vessel waiting times fell to almost zero, allowing the port to maintain its growth.

Khairul Alam Suzan, former director of Bangladesh Shipping Agents Association, said container volumes could rise by 10 lakh TEUs within the next five years.

With a deal recently signed with a foreign operator, the Laldia Container Terminal is expected to begin operations by that time, although it would be able to handle at most 8 lakh TEUs annually, he said.

Suzan advocated for starting other expansion projects, including Bay Terminal and Matarbari port, to meet future demand.