In September, the handling of import containers at Chittagong Port in Bangladesh increased compared to the previous month, while export container handling experienced a decline, as per the port’s monthly data.
Compared to August, the port handled approximately 1,430 more TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of import cargo containers. In contrast, export container handling decreased by 7,692 TEUs during the same period.
According to the port’s data, in September, approximately 106,505 TEUs of import cargo containers and 57,769 TEUs of export cargo containers were processed. In August, the port managed a total of 105,075 TEUs for imports and 65,461 TEUs for export cargo containers.
Traders and port officials attributed this fluctuation to the economic slowdown resulting from the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which has disrupted the normal flow of imports and exports. They noted that imports have been on the rise, while exports have been declining since January of the current year, mainly due to global factors impacting container volume at the port.
In September 2023, compared to the same month in 2022, import container handling increased by 5,012 TEUs, while exports decreased by 6,034 TEUs. Abdullah Jahir, deputy county manager of PSA Marine Bangladesh, mentioned that demand for readymade garments from foreign buyers has diminished amid the global economic crisis, which has influenced the state of import and export container handling.
However, he also noted that the relaxation of LC (Letter of Credit) restrictions, following an improvement in the dollar situation, has contributed to some normalization.
The port typically handles around 30-32 lakh TEUs of containers annually. In a July publication of Lloyd’s List of ports, the port’s ranking fell from 64th to 67th place, reflecting a decrease in container handling in 2022 compared to the previous year.
