Container congestion eases at Ctg Port, full recovery expected within a week

Container movement at Chattogram Port and its associated inland depots is gradually returning to normal, following the withdrawal of customs officials' pen-down strike and complete shutdown programme that had disrupted cargo operations for weeks.

Both import and export operations have resumed, though officials and stakeholders said it may take another week to fully resolve the congestion.

Despite the situation, the port reported a new record in container handling in FY25, managing a record 32.96 lakh TEUs – the highest volume since container operations began 48 years ago in 1977. Revenue collection also hit Tk75,432 crore.

As per today's (1 July) data, a record 3,010 TEUs of export containers were transported from 19 inland container depots (ICDs) to Chattogram Port between 8am Monday and 8am yesterday, according to the Bangladesh Inland Container Depots Association (Bicda).

Under normal conditions, daily transfers range between 2,000 and 2,200 TEUs.

The sharp increase follows a 36-hour complete shutdown observed by National Board of Revenue (NBR) officials from the morning of 28 June to the night of 29 June. 

Operations had been severely affected due to the protest, causing at least 3,000 export containers to be stuck at ICDs and forcing several vessels to delay their departure from the port. 

However, after the withdrawal of the protest, container movement resumed, and both stuck shipments and regular consignments began moving again.

Bicda Secretary General Ruhul Amin Sikder told The Business Standard that if the current pace continues, the backlog of export containers at depots could be cleared within a week.

Protest led to disruption

The disruption began with a pen-down programme launched by the NBR Reform Unity Council on 14 May. Although briefly suspended after government talks on 19 May, the movement resumed on 23 June and escalated to a full shutdown on 28 June. The protest officially ended on 29 June, after 13 days of intermittent disruption.

The Chattogram Custom House had seen significant delays in clearing import and export declarations during the protest. 

Kazi Mahmud Imam Bilu, former secretary general of the Chittagong C&F Agents Association, said the house usually processes around 2,000 import bills and 5,000 export bills each day, with around 1,500 to 2,000 import consignments assessed – 80% of them completed the same day.

"Because of the work stoppage, assessment of at least 3,000 import consignments was delayed. If customs officials work sincerely, the backlog should be cleared by Thursday," he said.

Chattogram Custom House Deputy Commissioner Saidul Islam confirmed that pending import files are expected to be cleared within a day or two.

Port delivery volumes rise

Between 30 June and 1 July (yesterday), Chattogram Port delivered 4,803 TEUs, a sharp rise from just 774 TEUs the day before. On average, about 4,000 TEUs are delivered daily.

"Port operations are steadily improving," said Md Omar Faruk, secretary of the Chattogram Port Authority. "If this delivery trend continues, the congestion will return to normal within a week."

On the issue of the controversial fourfold increase in store rent introduced in March, Faruk said the measure was introduced to encourage container clearance within the allotted four-day free period and avoid yard congestion.

"Importers facing valid delays can apply for rent waivers through the Ministry of Shipping," he added.

The number of ships waiting at the port's outer anchorage has also dropped. From 19 on 29 June, the number fell to 17 yesterday, suggesting an improvement in berthing conditions.

Garment sector faces losses

The RMG industry, which accounts for over 80% of Bangladesh's export earnings, has been hit hard by the disruption. Delays in customs clearance held up both raw material imports and finished goods exports. 

Most raw materials for this industry, including cotton, yarn, and fabric, are imported through containerised shipments via Chattogram Port.

BKMEA Director Shamsul Azam said the NBR officials' movement caused substantial delays in unloading raw materials and exporting finished goods. "Some ships missed their schedules due to delay in customs clearance, causing losses on both import and export sides." 

He also criticised the increased store rent, calling it a burden on importers.

"Despite repeated requests from businesses to withdraw the hike, no action has been taken. Importers are under serious financial pressure," Azam said.

Port sets new record

Despite the disruption, Chattogram Port set a new annual record for container handling. In FY25, the port handled 32.96 lakh TEUs – a 4% rise from the previous year's 31.69 lakh TEUs.

Revenue collection at the Chattogram Custom House also rose to Tk75,432 crore, up by 9.71% from the previous year. However, it fell short of the revised target by Tk4,970 crore.

Officials said performance could have been stronger had the port not faced delays in the closing weeks of the fiscal year due to protests and customs shutdowns.

Throughout the fiscal year, port and customs activities were intermittently disrupted due to several issues – anti-discrimination student protests, two Eid holidays, transport strikes, and multiple phases of work abstentions and a complete shutdown by NBR officials.