Ctg Port’s historic milestone in 2025 container handling, revenue

Container handling in Chattogram Port._11zon

Chittagong Port, the country’s premier seaport, has achieved a historic milestone in 2025, recording significant growth across all major operational indices, including container handling, cargo volume, vessel movement, and revenue collection.

Despite global economic volatility and localized trade disruptions, the port successfully managed record-breaking volumes, signaling a robust recovery and expansion of Bangladesh's maritime trade.

According to data released on Thursday by Omar Faruk, Director (Administration) of the Chittagong Port Authority, the port handled a record 3,409,069 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) of containers between January 1 to December 30, 2025. This represents a 4.7 percent growth compared to the previous year.

The port's key performance indicators for 2025 include:

Cargo Handling: 138.15 million metric tons, an 11.43 percent increase.

Vessel Movement: 4,273 ships handled, a 10.50 percent growth.

Revenue Income: Tk5,460.18 crore, a 7.55 percent increase over last year.

Government Contribution: The port contributed Tk 1,804.47 crore to the national treasury.

The growth has been attributed to the introduction of modern automation and infrastructure expansion. The port successfully implemented an Online E-Moot Pass system, online bill generation, and e-payment facilities. On December 23, 2025, the port set a single-day record by issuing 6,761 E-Moot passes.

“Modern equipment integration, yard capacity expansion, and automation have been the primary drivers of this success,” said Omar Faruk.

He also noted that for several days in 2025, the port achieved zero waiting time for arriving vessels.

The record performance comes despite significant hurdles faced during the year. These included a two-day ‘complete shutdown’ at Chittagong Customs in June due to protests by the NBR Reform Unity Council, and transport strikes in October that led to a temporary backlog of nearly 46,000 containers.

However, strategic operational management allowed the port to clear these bottlenecks rapidly.

Currently, Chittagong Port holds the 68th position in the Lloyd’s List (a leading global source for maritime news, analysis, and data) of the world’s top 100 container ports. The port’s security measures also received positive recognition from the US Coast Guard, confirming its compliance with international maritime safety standards.

Looking ahead, the ongoing construction of the Matarbari Deep Sea Port and the Bay Terminal Project (valued at over Tk13,525 crore) are expected to transform Chittagong port into a major regional transshipment hub. - UNB