Chattogram Port Sets New Record Amid Regional Trade Shifts

Chattogram, Bangladesh — The Chattogram Port Authority reported a historic milestone on Monday, handling a record 3.2 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of container cargo in the fiscal year ending June 2024, marking a 12% increase from the previous year. Officials attribute the surge to expanded capacity and improved logistics, positioning the port as a critical hub for South Asian trade amid global supply chain realignments.

The record, announced during a press conference at the port’s headquarters, underscores Chattogram’s role as Bangladesh’s primary maritime gateway, handling over 90% of the country’s international trade. Port Chairman Rear Admiral Mohammad Sohail said the achievement reflects investments in modern equipment and digitization, including a new container scanner and an upgraded terminal operating system. “We are committed to reducing turnaround times and enhancing efficiency to support Bangladesh’s growing export economy,” he stated.

Bangladesh’s garment sector, which accounts for nearly 80% of exports, has been a key driver of the increased traffic. Shipments of ready-made garments to European and North American markets rose by 15% this fiscal year, according to the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association. However, the port also saw a rise in imports of machinery and raw materials, fueled by infrastructure projects under the government’s 2021-2031 development plan.

Regional dynamics have also played a role. With Myanmar’s ongoing conflict disrupting its own ports, Chattogram has attracted transshipment cargo from neighboring countries, including India’s northeastern states and Nepal. Indian exporters, for instance, have increasingly used the port for goods destined for Southeast Asia, bypassing longer routes through Kolkata. This has led to a 20% jump in transshipment volumes, according to port data.

Despite the milestone, challenges remain. Labor unions have raised concerns about working conditions and wage disputes, with a strike threat looming last month that was resolved through government mediation. Environmental groups have also flagged air and water pollution near the port, urging stricter regulations. The port authority says it is addressing these issues through a $500 million modernization plan funded by the Asian Development Bank, which includes a wastewater treatment plant and emission controls.

International observers note that Chattogram’s growth aligns with broader trends in global shipping, where ports in developing nations are expanding to capture trade diverted from congested hubs like Shanghai and Rotterdam. The record comes as Bangladesh seeks to graduate from the United Nations’ Least Developed Country status by 2026, a move that could boost investor confidence but also require higher trade efficiency.

Local businesses expressed cautious optimism. “This record is good news, but we need consistent improvements in customs clearance and road connectivity to sustain it,” said Kamal Uddin, a garment exporter based in the city. The government has pledged to build a new expressway linking the port to Dhaka by 2028, a project now in early construction phases.

As Chattogram cements its place in regional trade, the port’s performance will be closely watched by economists and policymakers alike, serving as a barometer for Bangladesh’s economic trajectory.