Staff Correspondent:

Container handling at Chattogram Port grew by 5.21% in February 2025 compared to the same period last year, driven by increases in imports, exports, and empty container movement.

According to port data, total container handling for February 2025 stood at 228,184 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs).

This included 107,055 TEUs of import cargo, 11,370 TEUs of imported empty containers, 65,450 TEUs of export cargo, and 44,309 TEUs of exported empty containers.

In contrast, the total handling in February 2024 was 216,868 TEUs, with 103,886 TEUs of import cargo, 5,891 TEUs of imported empty containers, 61,099 TEUs of export cargo, and 45,992 TEUs of exported empty containers.

This marks an overall increase of 11,316 TEUs, or 5.21%, compared to February 2024.

Import cargo container handling grew by 3,169 TEUs (3.05%), while export cargo container handling increased by 4,351 TEUs (7.12%) during the same period.

However, the handling of empty import and export containers declined by 15.52% in February compared to January 2025.

Port stakeholders noted that container handling typically grows by 5-10% annually under stable business conditions. Imports have also risen ahead of Ramadan, while exports continue to trend upward.

In January 2025, the port handled 263,614 TEUs, which was 35,430 TEUs more than in February.

Import and export container handling in January 2025 showed positive growth compared to January 2024, with imports rising by 12.75% and exports by 13.84%.

The Chittagong Port Authority expects continued growth in 2025, supported by expanded operations at the newly functional Patenga Container Terminal and various initiatives to enhance activity at the Pangaon Container Terminal.

Md Omar Faruk, secretary of the Chittagong Port Authority, said, “Business has started to return to normal after overcoming various global crises. As a result, import and export activities have increased, leading to higher container handling. Additionally, various initiatives have been undertaken to accelerate port operations, and the positive outcomes are reflected in the port’s performance.”