The country’s main seaport, Chattogram Port Authority (CPA), remained full operational during the Eid holidays, ensuring uninterrupted cargo handling and vessel operations.
Despite the holiday period, port activities continued smoothly, helping sustain overall operational momentum.
Port officials said the success was achieved through a series of effective measures taken ahead of Eid and their proper implementation.
To ensure smooth operations, the port authority strengthened monitoring at jetties and container yards, prioritized vessel movements, and enhanced navigational support. Special measures were taken to facilitate the smooth arrival, unloading and departure of fuel-carrying and other cargo vessels. Responsibilities were distributed among officials and round-the-clock monitoring was maintained to ensure efficiency. Coordination with law enforcement agencies also helped keep transportation normal.
In line with government directives, long-haul vehicles were restricted on highways during the holiday period. However, to keep the supply chain functional, special stickers were issued to allow only essential and emergency cargo transport.
Handling Statistics
From March 17 to March 23, the port handled a total of 2,508,614 metric tons of cargo, including 2,361,878 metric tons of imports and 146,828 metric tons of exports. The highest single-day cargo handling 404,804 metric tons was recorded on March 18.
During the same period, a total of 54,898 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of containers were handled. Of these, 28,961 TEUs were import containers and 25,937 TEUs were export containers. The highest daily container handling 11,861 TEUs was recorded on March 18.
Vessel Movement and Waiting Time
A total of 63 vessels were handled during the seven-day period, with the highest number 14 vessels processed on March 19. Although vessel waiting time had previously increased to 2–3 days, it has now been reduced to zero days, marking a significant operational achievement.
Current Operations
Operations have remained steady after the holidays. The port has a capacity of 89,000 TEUs, against which approximately 81,300 TEUs are currently stored. This includes 36,250 TEUs of full containers, 26,585 TEUs at depots, and 3,125 TEUs of empty containers.
In the last 24 hours, 1,581 TEUs have been delivered, while another 2,525 TEUs are ready for delivery.
Chattogram Port Secretary Syed Refayet Hamim said these details on Wednesday.
He said a special taskforce was formed during Ramadan and the Eid holidays to ensure the supply of fuel and essential commodities. The taskforce closely monitored cargo handling operations at both jetty areas and the outer anchorage.
To address potential fuel shortages, priority berthing and enhanced navigational support were provided. Coordination among all relevant stakeholders ensured uninterrupted port operations.
To facilitate transportation during the holidays, the port authority coordinated with Chattogram Metropolitan Police and Dhaka Metropolitan Police. Despite restrictions on long-haul vehicles, special permissions were granted for transporting essential import and export goods.
CPA secretary added that recent work stoppages and an increased rate of vessel arrivals had raised the waiting time to 2–3 days. However, through improved monitoring and coordination, waiting time at the outer anchorage has now been reduced to zero.
Stakeholders believe that maintaining such operational continuity during a peak holiday period has played a crucial role in keeping the country’s supply chain stable, and this momentum is expected to continue.
