Ctg port records strong Jul-Aug growth in container, cargo handling

Despite challenges such as long vessel waiting and turnaround times, along with resulting vessel and container backlogs, the country’s premier seaport recorded notable growth in container, cargo and vessel handling during July and August this year.

The rise was largely driven by higher import and export volumes, rushed shipments of goods to the United States, and India’s restrictions on transporting certain items through its land ports.

Additional support came from initiatives by the Chattogram Port Authority (CPA), record handling by Chittagong Dry Dock Limited (CDDL) at the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT), and the commencement of operations at the new Patenga Container Terminal (PCT), according to port sources.

CPA data show the port handled 543,204 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units), 19,489,559 tonnes of cargo and 619 vessels in July-August of the 2024-25 fiscal year (FY25).

In the same period of the current FY26, volumes rose to 615,443 TEUs, 21,544,976 tonnes and 674 vessels – year-on-year increases of 13.29%, 10.54% and 8.88% respectively.

For context, the seaport’s FY25 growth rates stood at 4.02% in containers, 6.07% in cargo and 2.67% in vessels, compared with 5.36%, 4.18% and a negative 6.63% in FY24.

Calendar year growth

Looking at calendar year performance, between January and August 2024 the port handled 2,158,501 TEUs, 82,532,083 tonnes of cargo and 2,539 vessels.

During the same period in 2025, volumes rose to 2,251,180 TEUs, 91,329,269 tonnes of cargo and 2,805 vessels – representing growth of 4.29% in container handling, 10.65% in cargo handling and 10.43% in vessel handling.

Congestion challenges

The growth came despite significant operational disruptions in July and August caused by a surge in auction and empty containers, which led to vessel and container congestion.

On 17 August, container yard occupancy reached 49,131 TEUs – the highest in the port’s history.

The situation improved after the CPA raised storage capacity from 53,518 TEUs to 59,000 TEUs, allowed berthing of more vessels and encouraged importers to expedite delivery.

Meanwhile, the Navy-run CDDL handled a record 122,517 TEUs at NCT in August alone.

At the same time, international operator Red Sea Gateway Terminal (RSGT) Chittagong handled 119,000 TEUs at the newly developed Patenga Container Terminal within 15 months of operations up to August.

Stakeholders’ views

Bangladesh Shipping Agents Association (BSAA) Director Khairul Alam Suzan said: “The growth was supported by increased imports, hurried shipment of US-bound cargoes to avoid the impact of tariff hikes, record container handling at NCT by CDDL and Indian restrictions on land port trade.”

Suzan also emphasised the importance of clearing empty containers quickly from the port and off-docks to sustain growth in the coming months.

CPA Secretary Mohammad Omar Faruk said effective measures had eased congestion.

“The vessel turnaround time now averages 2.5 days, with waiting time down to 0-2 days. Initiatives to clear auction containers and expand storage capacity helped improve the situation,” he added.