Container and cargo handling has increased at Chattogram sea port in the last one year. Out of this, container handling increased by 5.36 percent and cargo handling by 4.18 percent. However, at the same time, the number of ships arriving at this main seaport of the country has decreased.
Such information has emerged in a report published on Monday (July 1) by the Chattogram Port Authority on container, cargo and ship handling in the recently concluded fiscal year 2023-2024.
Analyzing the data received from the port, it can be seen that during the fiscal year 2022-2023, Chattogram port handled 30 lakh 7 thousand 375 TEUs (20 feet length units). 31 lakh 68 thousand 690 TEUs have been handled in the recently concluded financial year. Accordingly, container handling at the port has increased by 1 lakh 61 thousand 315 TEUs, which is a percentage increase of 5.36 percent over the previous year.
Chattogram port handled 11 crore 82 lakh 97 thousand 643 metric tons of cargo in the fiscal year 2022-2023. 12 crore 32 lakh 42 thousand 748 metric tons have been handled in the financial year 2023-2024. As a result, cargo handling at the port has increased to 49 lakh 45 thousand 105 metric tons, which is a percentage increase of 4.18 percent over the previous year.
Meanwhile, in the last one year (2023-2024 fiscal year), 3971 ships have been handled at the port. Before that, in the fiscal year 2022-2023, 4 thousand 253 ships were handled at the port. A total of 282 fewer vessels have been handled at the port than in the previous financial year.
Although the arrival of ships is less, the increase in cargo and container handling is positive for the economy, Secretary of Chattogram Port Authority Md. Omar Farooq
He said, 'Due to the addition of modern handling equipment, automation, experience, efficient management and implementation of new development projects and plans, growth in container and cargo handling has been possible in the financial year 2023-24. Ship arrival is not an issue. That's why big ships are coming. But, our cargo and container handling has increased. This is positive for the economy. We want to create opportunities for larger ships to transport more goods. This will reduce ship fares, importers and exporters as well as the country will benefit economically.
Secretary Md. Omar Farooq said that Patenga container terminal of Chattogram port is being managed by foreign operators since the outgoing financial year. It increases the income of the port. Investment in Bay Terminal is increasing. The activities of Matarbari deep sea port are being taken forward. The authorities are working to advance Chattogram port with the country's economy.
Mahbubul Alam, President of Chattogram Port Users Forum and FBCCI, the apex organization of traders, said, "The economy of the country is growing. The national budget is increasing. Imports and exports are increasing. Its reflection is the growth of container and cargo handling of Chattogram port. We hope that Chattogram port will show its capacity to participate in the development of the country. The port will be ready to take the pressure of the growing economy of the country by implementing new projects and plans.