‘Manual might’: Ctg port’s GCB records new high in daily handling, outpacing modern terminals

Despite operating under manual systems with limited infrastructure, the general cargo berth (GCB) at Chattogram port has recorded remarkable growth in container handling—outpacing even some of the port's modern container terminals.

Previously, each vessel at the GCB handled an average of 600 to 650 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent unit) of containers per day, which has now risen to over 800 TEUs.

Handling 832 TEUs per day at each vessel, GCB outperformed the modern and dedicated Chattogram container terminal (CCT) and New Mooring container terminal (NCT) in April. In the month, CCT handled 684 TEUs and NCT 818 TEUs.

Commenting on the productivity surge, Md Omar Faruk, secretary of the Chattogram Port Authority, told The Business Standard, "GCB's berth operators are operating continuously under strict port instructions to avoid any slowdowns."

The workforce is now more skilled than ever, contributing to the positive trend, he said.

At GCB, the per hour handling rate now stands at 18–19 TEUs, Chattogram port data shows.

In the past seven months till 27 April 2025, it averaged 741 TEUs per vessel per day, compared to 788 TEUs at CCT and 887 TEUs at NCT. 

NCT and CCT are purpose-built container terminals with adjacent container yards and modern gantry cranes. However, the 75-year-old GCB lacks such facilities, relying solely on ship cranes that naturally slow down the process.

"GCB lacks a dedicated layout. Its backup yards are dispersed across different areas—some up to 2–3 kilometres away from the jetty—leading to longer container transfer times," said a port official.

Fazle Ekram Chowdhury, president of the Berth Operators, Ship Handling Operators and Terminal Operators Owners Association, told TBS that the progress at GCB has been achieved through coordinated effort and meticulous planning. 

He said GCB's six container berths now handle about 45% of the port's total annual container throughput, which exceeds 3.2 million containers.

Chattogram port operates 12 jetties for container handling under its own management—four in NCT, two in CCT, and six in GCB.