Ctg Port handles 2.5m tonnes of cargo, 55,000 TEUs during Eid holidays

Despite a nationwide holiday for financial institutions, operations at the Chittagong Port Authority continued largely uninterrupted during the Eid break, handling over 2.5 million tonnes of cargo and nearly 55,000 TEUs of containers in seven days.

TBS Highlights

According to port data, a total of 2,508,614 tonnes of cargo was processed between 17 March and 23 March. Imports accounted for 2,361,786 tonnes, while exports stood at 146,828 tonnes.

Container throughput also remained strong, reaching 54,898 TEUs, including 28,961 TEUs of imports and 25,937 TEUs of exports.

Vessel traffic saw no major disruption during the extended holiday, with 64 ships berthing at the port – an average of more than nine vessels per day.

Daily activity peaked on 18 March, when the port handled 434,434 tonnes of cargo, the highest for the week. The same day also recorded the highest container throughput at 11,861 TEUs.

Operations slowed on Eid day, 21 March, when cargo handling dropped to 255,874 tonnes and container movement to just 962 TEUs, with only three vessels berthing, the lowest for the week.

Officials said the steady handling of cargo and containers during the holiday underscores the port's capacity to maintain essential services and keep supply chains functioning.

Syed Refayet Hamim, secretary and spokesperson for the port authority, said operations remained normal on most days except Eid, adding that special measures were taken to ensure uninterrupted supply.

He noted, however, that delivery operations were relatively slower due to transport workers being on holiday, but are expected to pick up as government and private offices reopen.

The Chittagong Port Authority typically keeps key operations running during major holidays to prevent congestion and ensure the timely delivery of essential imports and industrial raw materials.