Mongla Port recorded its strongest-ever performance in the first half of the current fiscal year, handling a record volume of containers and cargo as vessel arrivals surged, consolidating its position as Bangladesh’s second-largest seaport.
Port sources said 28 container vessels handled a record 17,387 TEUs between July and December of FY 2025–26. During the same six-month period, 440 foreign commercial vessels called at the port, significantly boosting revenue.
Cargo throughput also rose sharply, with 6.33 million tonnes of imports and 42,671 tonnes of exports handled during the period. In addition, 5,244 imported vehicles arrived at the port aboard 15 vessels.
Md Makruzzaman, Deputy Secretary of the Mongla Port Authority (MPA), said the port had handled 10.32 million tonnes of imported cargo and 87,800 tonnes of exports between July 2024 and June 2025. Over the same period, 11,579 reconditioned vehicles were imported on 26 ships.
Mongla Port plays a critical role in meeting national demand by facilitating the import of essential commodities such as food grains, fertilisers, cement raw materials, clinker, coal, oil, stone, machinery and liquefied petroleum gas. The port also supports exports including silk fabrics, ready-made garments, jute and jute products, shrimp, fish, frozen food, crabs, clay tiles, and general cargo.
According to the MPA, the port handled 10.41 million tonnes of cargo in FY 2024–25, generating record revenue of Taka 343.33 crore. Net profit stood at Taka 62.10 crore, exceeding the authority’s target of Taka 20.50 crore by more than 200%.
Officials attributed the improved performance to sustained dredging on key river routes, including the Mongla–Ghasiakhali channel, which has enhanced navigability and enabled larger vessels to berth directly at the port’s jetties. This, they said, has increased the likelihood of higher vessel traffic in the coming years.
Senior officials said Mongla Port has seen marked improvement in vessel arrivals, cargo volumes and container handling in recent years. The port has also received increased policy attention, with senior officials from the Ministry of Shipping and other government bodies visiting the facility and issuing directives aimed at accelerating growth.
To ensure operational efficiency, the port authority has been holding regular consultations with stevedores, shipping agents, clearing and forwarding agents and other stakeholders. An Internal Business Development Standing Committee has also been formed, which officials said has already begun to contribute to rising vessel calls and trade activity, reinforcing the port’s growing role in the economic development of south-western Bangladesh.
