Chattogram Port Gains New Momentum, Smashes Multiple Records

Chattogram Port has successfully returned to "Zero Waiting Time," effectively reducing vessel wait times at the outer anchorage to nil.

This reduction in ship turnaround times has injected fresh momentum into import and export activities.

Concurrently, the country’s premier seaport has set multiple new records in container, cargo, and vessel handling, revenue earnings, and operational efficiency during the fiscal year 2025-26.

According to the port authority, significant progress has been made across all indicators to transform Chattogram Port into a world-class smart port through the implementation of 100% e-gates, paperless services, real-time digital operations, and advanced cybersecurity measures.

These details were disclosed in a press release sent to the media by the Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) on Wednesday (July 1).

Historic Surge in Operational Indicators
The press release highlighted that the port handled a total of 3,531,118 TEUs of containers in FY 2025-26, marking a 7.13% growth compared to the previous fiscal year.

During the same period, cargo handling rose by 5.62% to reach 138,072,826 metric tons.

Additionally, the number of vessels handled increased to 4,336, up 6.35% from the preceding year.

The port authority also reported outstanding financial performance.

• Gross Revenue: BDT 6,629.17 crore
• Revenue Surplus: BDT 4,355.21 crore
• Tax Paid to Government: BDT 960.04 crore
• Post-Tax Revenue Surplus: BDT 3,395.17 crore

The authority hailed the post-tax surplus as a historic milestone for the port's financial capacity.

Faster Turnaround Times and Lower Costs
According to the release, the average stay of container vessels dropped from 2.58 days to 2.38 days.

This 7.75% reduction in vessel turnaround time has significantly lowered operational costs for shipping lines while accelerating trade velocity.

"As part of our digital transformation, a 100% e-gate pass system has been introduced at all port gates," said Md. Nasir Uddin, Acting Secretary and Spokesperson for the CPA.

"Services including E-Delivery Orders (E-DO), online NOCs, e-Challans, cart tickets, and one-stop documentation have been made entirely paperless. Furthermore, direct data integration between NBR's Asycuda World and the port's Terminal Operating System (TOS) has made trade faster and more transparent."

The CPA has also launched 'CPA Sky', an integrated digital platform that brings all stakeholders—including Customs, banks, shipping agents, and C&F agents—under one umbrella.

To protect operational data and digital infrastructure, a state-of-the-art cybersecurity system has been deployed.

Achieving Zero Waiting Time
The port authority noted that despite navigating various challenges, Chattogram Port has reclaimed its "Zero Waiting Time" status. With ships no longer forced to wait at the outer anchorage, cargo loading and unloading have accelerated, saving shipping lines both time and money.

Importers are receiving goods faster, and exporters are meeting tight shipping deadlines. This momentum was sustained through 24-hour uninterrupted operations even during the Eid holidays.

Security infrastructure has also seen major upgrades. The port achieved a "Zero Observation" rating during an international inspection by the US Coast Guard.

Meanwhile, collaborative surveillance by the Navy, Coast Guard, River Police, and other law enforcement agencies has drastically reduced robbery and theft at the outer anchorage.

Vision 2040: Future Masterplan
Looking ahead, the CPA has set an ambitious target to scale up its capacity to 307 million metric tons of cargo and 8.7 million TEUs of containers by 2040.

To support this growth, plans are underway to construct new container terminals, the Bay Terminal, a Heavy Lift Cargo Jetty, and multimodal transport infrastructure.

The Chattogram Port Authority concluded that the financial and operational triumphs of FY 2025-26 reflect a more robust, transparent, and efficient management system.

By reducing vessel turnaround times, boosting revenue surplus, and rolling out 100% paperless digital services, the port has secured a highly reliable and profitable environment for its trading partners, ensuring its continuous journey toward becoming a world-class smart port.