Chattogram Port Faces New Delays as Cyclone Preparations Disrupt Operations

Chattogram, Bangladesh — Operations at the Chattogram Port, the country’s primary maritime gateway, have been significantly disrupted this week as authorities intensify preparations for an approaching cyclone in the Bay of Bengal. The port, which handles over 90 percent of Bangladesh’s international trade, has temporarily halted cargo loading and unloading at several berths, causing a backlog of shipments and raising concerns among traders and logistics firms.

According to the Chattogram Port Authority (CPA), the decision to scale back operations was made after the Bangladesh Meteorological Department issued a warning of a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal, expected to intensify into a cyclonic storm within 48 hours. CPA Secretary Md. Omar Faruk confirmed that all container and bulk cargo operations at the outer anchorage have been suspended since Tuesday evening, while vessels at the inner berths are being moved to safer locations. “We are prioritizing the safety of ships, cargo, and port workers,” Faruk said in a statement. “This is a standard precautionary measure during cyclone season.”

The disruption comes at a critical time for Bangladesh’s economy, which relies heavily on the port for exports of ready-made garments, jute, and leather goods, as well as imports of raw materials, machinery, and food grains. Industry insiders estimate that the two-day halt could delay the delivery of thousands of containers, potentially affecting production schedules at factories in the Chattogram Export Processing Zone and other industrial areas.

“We are already facing a container shortage due to the Red Sea crisis, and now this cyclone is adding to the pressure,” said Mohammad Hossain, a Dhaka-based garment exporter. “Every hour of delay means higher costs and missed deadlines.” The port had been working to clear a backlog from earlier disruptions caused by political unrest and global shipping route shifts, but the latest setback threatens to undo recent gains.

In response, the CPA has deployed additional tugs and pilot boats to assist in vessel movements and is coordinating with the Bangladesh Navy and Coast Guard for emergency response. Port workers have been instructed to secure loose equipment and containers, while cranes and other machinery are being lashed down. The Cyclone Preparedness Programme has also been activated, with volunteers on standby to assist in evacuations if necessary.

International shipping lines have begun rerouting some vessels to alternative ports in the region, including Mongla and Colombo, though capacity constraints at those facilities limit the scope of diversion. The disruption is also expected to affect transshipment cargo destined for landlocked neighboring countries such as Nepal and Bhutan, which depend on Chattogram under bilateral trade agreements.

Meteorologists predict the cyclone could make landfall near the Bangladesh-Myanmar coast by late Thursday, bringing heavy rain and winds of up to 100 kilometers per hour. While the port is designed to withstand moderate storms, authorities remain cautious. “We have learned from past cyclones, like Sitrang in 2022, that early preparation is key to minimizing damage,” Faruk added.

As of Wednesday evening, the port was operating at reduced capacity, with only emergency and essential cargo being handled. The CPA has assured stakeholders that normal operations will resume as soon as weather conditions improve, likely within 48 to 72 hours. Meanwhile, traders are urging the government to expedite dredging and infrastructure upgrades to make the port more resilient to climate-related disruptions, which are expected to increase in frequency due to global warming.