Despite the global economic instability, Chittagong Port is in the 'Three Millionaire Club' for the fourth time in terms of container handling. 2023 is just a few days away. In the meantime, till December 25, the main seaport of the country has handled 3 million 4 thousand 505 TEUS (20 feet equivalent) containers. The port authority expects to be able to handle 3.1 million or 3.1 million TEUS containers by the end of the year. In 2022 Chittagong port handled 31 lakh 42 thousand 504 TEUS containers.
Meanwhile, the port expects to set a record in handling cargo (open) products in 2023. 11 crore 83 lakh 45 thousand 576 metric tons of cargo has been handled till 25 December. If we add the remaining 6 days of this year, the cargo handling will exceed 12 crore tonnes in the outgoing year. No year in the history of the port has handled more than 12 crore tonnes of cargo. In 2022, 11 crore 96 lakh 65 thousand tons of cargo was handled at this port.
92 percent of the country's total sea-based import-export and 98 percent of containerized goods are transported through Chittagong port. At present, this port can accommodate ships with a draft of 10 meters (part of the ship under water) and a length of 200 meters. For the first time in the history of Chittagong Port, in 2019, it set a record by handling three million or 3 million TEUS containers. However, in the face of the global economic crisis due to the corona epidemic, the rhythm fell in 2020. That year, 2.83 million containers were handled. But the next year turned around from that situation. The highest container handling record was created in the history of the port. 3.21 million TEUS containers were handled that year. In 2022, container handling decreased slightly but did not fall below 3 million or 3 million.
Chairman of the port, Rear Admiral Mohammad Sohail believes that the Chittagong Port Authority has been able to maintain the efficiency of cargo and container handling through its skills and experience despite the adverse conditions of the global economy.
He said that the amount of cargo and container handling through Chittagong Port is mainly a reflection of Bangladesh's internal demand and economic activities. The overall economy of the country emerges through the continuous cargo and container handling statistics of Chittagong port. This means that the economy of Bangladesh has maintained its continuity in spite of many adversities.
ARS
