Why Ctg port slips one notch in Lloyd’s List despite record container handling

Chattogram Port, the country's principal seaport, slipped one place in the Lloyd's List global ranking this year, despite achieving its highest-ever container handling volume.

The London-based shipping journal placed Chattogram Port at 68th in its One Hundred Ports 2025 edition. The ranking is based solely on annual container throughput measured in twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs).

Chattogram Port handled about 3.275 million TEUs in 2024, up 7.4% from 3.05 million in 2023. Yet, it fell one position because other ports grew faster in volume, particularly Saudi Arabia's Port of Dammam, which recorded 3.290 million TEUs and overtook Chattogram Port for the 67th place.

Industry insiders say the slip is a warning sign. Maritime expert and representative of IMO Captain Anam Chowdhury said, "Even with growth, if competitors grow faster, we fall behind. There are four main weaknesses: inadequate infrastructure, delays in implementing large projects, a lack of modern technology, and shortages of skilled manpower behind the slip."

"Unless these four issues are fixed, Chattogram Port will continue to lose ground," he said.

Chattogram Port slips one notch in global container ranking despite higher handling

Former Director of Chattogram Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) Mahfuzul Hoque Shah echoed the concern. "Container volume has gone up, but global peers are moving ahead faster. Without urgent investment and reforms, the country's main seaport could slip further in future rankings," he told TBS.

Globally, Shanghai retained the top position with 51.5 million TEUs, followed by Singapore and China's Ningbo.

Chattogram Port Secretary Omar Faruk said the authority has not yet received official notification from Lloyd's List. "We will respond once it is formally communicated," he said.

Chattogram Port's highest rank in the past decade came in 2019, when it reached 58th place.