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Chittagong Port is going to break all previous records in the current fiscal year by handling 3.2 million containers, 120 million metric tons of cargo, and loading 4,000 ships. However, at the beginning of the fiscal year, the country's import-export trade was disrupted by three consecutive months of political unrest and prolonged floods.
The 2024-25 fiscal year began with the fall of the Awami League government in the face of a tough student movement. Then, flash floods began in various districts of the country. Due to this, the country's economy was in a state of disaster until September. Import-export trade stagnated.
However, the country's economy has turned around since October. In particular, Chittagong Port has handled 3.163 million containers and 125 million metric tons of cargo products until June 14 of the current fiscal year. At the same time, 3,900 ships carrying goods have loaded into the port.
Chittagong Port Authority Member (Harbour and Marine) Captain Ahmed Amin Abdullah said that the import-export growth rate in the country has increased. This has been possible through various reform activities at the port.
Like the port, 21 private offdocks have set a record in handling 688,000 export and 254,000 import containers in the current fiscal year.
Ruhul Amin Sikder Biplob, Secretary General of the Bangladesh Inland Container Depot Association (BICDA), an organization of off-dock owners, said that off-docks are handling almost all of the country's overall export products. Therefore, this growth is indicative of the country's overall export sector growth.
Garment traders have claimed that this achievement is because the ready-made garment sector has maintained its export target despite the crisis. In particular, about 30 billion US dollars worth of goods have been exported through Chittagong Port in the first three quarters of the current fiscal year, i.e., until March. Raw materials for various industries, including garments, have also arrived.
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Director MD M Mohiuddin Chowdhury said, "We have tried to keep the business running even in adverse conditions. We have also worked overtime."
According to Lloyd's List, Chittagong Port is ranked 67th among the world's 100 busiest ports. This list is mainly based on container handling capacity.
Source: Online/GFMM
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