Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) Chairman Rear Admiral M Shahjahan said that Chattogram Port has the capacity to import and export goods worth 90 million dollars. Various plans are now being implemented to increase the capacity of the port. A major example of the reform program is the initiative to accommodate relatively large vessels in the port channel of the Karnaphuli River. The image of Chattogram Port will change in the coming year 2026-27. 93 percent of the country's import-export goods by sea are handled through this port. And container handling is 98 percent.
He said this at a discussion meeting of the Chattogram Port Authority with the management committee of the Chattogram Press Club on Tuesday.
He said, Chattogram port has handled 18 lakh TEUS containers of goods per year on an average from 2012-13 to 2016-17 fiscal year. Over the next five years (2017-18 to 2021-22), this number increased to an average of 28 lakh TEUS containers annually. Average growth in five years is 46 percent. In addition to containers, bulk product handling is also increasing. The rate of ship arrivals also increased. From FY 2012-13 to 2016-17 there was an average of 2592 vessel handling per year. Over the next five years this number increased to an average of 3942 per year. Foreign trade of the country is also increasing. The reason for this increase in trade is the growth in foreign trade of the country. About 52 percent of the goods were discharged directly at the Chattogram port in the fiscal year 2022-22. Earlier it used to take a few days for a ship's cargo to be discharged. Now completing in 24 hours. Chattogram port is connected with 106 countries of the world.
Chattogram Press Club President Salahuddin Reza said that Chattogram journalists have a long-standing cordial relationship with the Chattogram Port Authority. Port authority to play a special role in the welfare of journalists to strengthen that relationship.
Chattogram Press Club General Secretary Debdulal Bhowmik said that Port Authority has set many precedents for the welfare of various institutions and organizations. The Port Authority expressed hope of playing such a role in the case of Chattogram Press Club.
Chattogram Port Authority's Chairman assured to take the statement of press club management committee into special consideration.
Chattogram Press Club Joint Secretary Shahidullah Shahriar, Executive Members Jasim Chowdhury Sabuj and Moazzemul Haque spoke at the exchange meeting.
Chattogram Port Authority Member (Engineering) Commodore Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman, Member (Harbour and Marine) Commodore M Fazlar Rahman, Member (Finance) Mohammad Shahidul Alam, Secretary Md Omar Farooq, Chattogram Press Club Finance Secretary Rashed Mahmud, Social Services and Entertainment Secretary Al Rahman, Publicity and Publication Secretary Khorshedul Alam Shamim, Executive Members Ayub Ali and Manjurul Alam Manju and others were present at the meeting.
