Chittagong Port has set a new milestone in its 48-year history by handling the highest volume of containers in a single fiscal year, despite several disruptions.
During the 2024–25 fiscal year, the country’s key maritime gateway processed approximately 3.296 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), breaking its previous record of 3.25 million TEUs set in 2021–22. This reflects a 4% year-on-year growth from the 3.168 million TEUs recorded in FY 2023–24, according to data from the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA).
Port operations remained resilient despite multiple challenges throughout the year, including political unrest in July-August, a nationwide transport strike and a customs shutdown in June.
“Throughput could have been even higher if not for the disruption near the end of the fiscal year,” said Omar Faruk, Secretary of CPA. He credited the coordinated efforts of port stakeholders for this historic achievement.
Chittagong Port currently ranks 67th globally in terms of container handling and continues to dominate Bangladesh’s seaborne trade, managing 99% of the country’s container traffic. The remaining 1% is handled by Mongla Port.
The processed containers included import, export and empty units, routed through the port’s four terminals, Kamlapur Inland Container Depot and Pangao Inland Terminal. Around 23% of the port’s total cargo is containerised, primarily consisting of high-value goods like industrial raw materials, capital machinery and commercial items. The other 77% comprises bulk commodities, including food grains, edible oil and fuel.
The record-setting performance comes amidst signs of economic stabilisation, with a rebound in both exports and imports following a prolonged foreign currency crisis. Rising export volumes and normalised import flows have significantly contributed to the port’s growth.
This milestone further solidifies Chittagong Port’s strategic role in powering Bangladesh’s export-led economy and maintaining its position in global supply chains, particularly those linked to the country’s robust readymade garment and manufacturing sectors.
