Chattogram Port logs 12% growth in first quarter amid inflation, export slowdown
Comparing July-September 2025 with the same period last year, the figures highlight steady operational improvement
Highlights:
- Chattogram Port handled 9.27 lakh TEUs in July–September, a 12.24% increase
- Cargo handling increased by 13.88%, while ship handling rose by 1.22%
- New Mooring Terminal hits record in first quarter, handled 3.42 lakh TEUs
- Ship handling at New Mooring shows a 17.11% growth
Despite rising inflation and export challenges, the Chattogram Port has recorded growth in container, cargo, and ship handling during the first quarter of the current fiscal year.
Comparing July-September 2025 with the same period last year, the figures highlight steady operational improvement.
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According to the port authority, 927,713 TEUs were handled in July–September 2025, compared to 826,528 TEUs during the same period last year, an increase of 101,185 TEUs or 12.24%.
Confirming the data to The Business Standard, Chattogram Port's Chief Personnel Officer, Md Nasir Uddin, said internal statistics reflect the positive trend.
Port authorities attribute this performance to the tireless efforts of stakeholders, which have ensured the smooth functioning of the country's principal seaport. However, a brief slowdown in import-export activity occurred around July of last year due to political unrest.
Cargo and ship handling also grew, with almost 3 crore and 30 lakh metric tons of cargo and 1,031 ships handled, up from 2 crore and 89 lakh metric tons and 944 ships last year. This represents a growth of 13.88% in cargo and 1.22% in ship handling.
Ctg port handles record 32.96 lakh containers in FY25, revenue hits Tk75,432 crore
The port authority noted that global economic slowdowns, transport strikes, and customs interruptions affected operations.
However, with strong support from officers, employees, and stakeholders, container, cargo, and ship handling rose, export earnings grew, and infrastructure and digitalisation projects continued advancing rapidly.
New Mooring terminal sees record handling
From 7 July, the largest terminal at Chattogram Port, the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT), has been operated by Navy-run Chittagong Drydock Ltd, following the expiry of Saif Powertech Ltd.'s contract on 6 July.
The interim government decided not to renew the contract and appointed an international operator to meet global standards.
In the first three months of FY 2025–26, NCT handled 3.42 lakh TEUs, which is 41.75 thousand more than the 3.01 lakh TEUs in the same period last year, a 13.88% rise. Ship handling at NCT also increased to 178 ships from 152 last year, a 17.11% growth.
Positive indicators year-to-date
On a calendar-year basis, Chattogram Port also shows strong performance. From January to September 2025, 25.63 lakh TEUs were handled, up 1.22 lakh TEUs or 4.98% from 24.42 lakh TEUs during the same period last year.
Cargo and ship handling grew 11.70% and 10.37%, respectively, with 10.27 crore metric tons of cargo and 3,161 ships handled, compared to 9.19 crore metric tons and 2,864 ships last year.
Khairul Alam Sujan, vice-president of the Bangladesh Freight Forwarders Association (BAFFA), said to The Business Standard, "In the previous government's last term, dollar shortages complicated LC openings for imports. The interim government has resolved these issues, supporting positive performance indicators."
Overall, despite global economic uncertainty and domestic challenges, Chattogram Port's first-quarter performance demonstrates resilience, steady growth, and continued progress in modernisation, infrastructure, and operational efficiency.
