Container handling at the country’s major seaport Chittagong Port has seen a slight decline in FY 2022-23, but cargo handling has increased due to various factors, including lower import-export volumes and the dollar crisis. Compared to the last financial year, the container handling decreased by 2 lakh 48 thousand 14 TEUS.
Container handling in FY 2022-23 was 30 lakh 7 thousand 344 TEUS. 2 lakh 48 thousand 14 TEUS less than last financial year. 32 lakh 55 thousand 358 TEUS at this port in FY 2021-22. In the financial year 2020-21, 30 lakh 97 thousand 236 TEUS containers were handled in this major seaport of the country.
While the volume of container handling at the port has decreased, the volume of cargo handling has increased by 1 lakh and 22 thousand metric tons in the financial year 2022-23. According to the port data, the cargo handling in the financial year 2022-23 was 11 crore 82 lakh 96 thousand 743 metric tonnes. In the fiscal year 2021-22, 11 crore 81 lakh 74 thousand 160 metric tons of cargo has been handled at this port. This time cargo handling has increased to 1 lakh 22 thousand 500 metric tons.
This time 4 thousand 53 ships arrived at Chittagong port. In previous year 2021-22 the number of ships was 4 thousand 231. This time the number of ships has also increased to 22.
Chittagong Port Secretary Md. Omar Faruq said, ‘The number of ships arriving at the port has also increased. Besides, cargo handling has also increased. However, the volume of container handling has decreased slightly. Domestic and foreign ships are getting fast berthing and leaving the port as the average stay time of ships in Chittagong Port has also decreased. New equipment has been added and increased capacity has increased the number of ships arriving at the port.
He said, while luxury goods come in containers, most of the cargo products are essential goods. That’s why container handling is less this time. However, Chittagong Port has maintained momentum through its operations. We still have 30 percent space left in container storage. Equipment is also adequate. We are capable of handling much more than that.
Chittagong CA&F Association said, “Although the container handling is less due to various reasons including global economic crisis, dollar crisis, overall, it cannot be said that the capacity of Chittagong port has decreased in the just ended fiscal year.”
