The Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) handled a record 3.52 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of containers in the 2025-26 fiscal year, while cargo throughput, vessel calls and revenue also reached new highs, reflecting continued growth in the prime seaport of Bangladesh.
According to CPA statistics, the port handled 3,518,841 TEUs during FY2025-26, up 6.76 per cent from 3,296,067 TEUs in the previous fiscal year. Container handling has increased by more than 350,000 TEUs over the past two years from 3,168,690 TEUs recorded in FY2023-24.
Cargo handling also reached a record 137.74 million tonnes in FY2025-26, marking a 5.36 per cent increase from 130.72 million tonnes a year earlier. In FY2023-24, the port handled 123.24 million tonnes of cargo.
The number of vessel calls rose to 4,324 in FY2025-26 from 4,077 in the previous year, a 6.06 per cent increase. Vessel arrivals stood at 3,971 in FY2023-24.
The CPA also reported improved operational efficiency, with the average turnaround time for container vessels falling to 2.38 days in FY2025-26 from 2.58 days a year earlier.
Financially, the port continued its upward trajectory.
Revenue increased to Tk 66.29 billion in FY2025-26 from Tk 53.66 billion in FY2024-25 and around Tk 48.30 billion in FY2023-24, according to the CPA.
The authority said the latest performance reflects growing trade volumes, improved operational efficiency and the impact of ongoing infrastructure development and modernisation initiatives.
Confirming the record, CPA Member (Marine and Harbour) Commodore Ahmed Amin Abdullah said, "CPA had significantly reduced operating expenditure despite inflationary pressures and the impact of global geopolitical tensions."
CPA Chairman Rear Admiral S M Moniruzzaman said, "The port recorded its highest-ever revenue, vessel calls, container throughput and cargo handling despite operational disruptions during the fiscal year. Our performance improved across every key indicator, setting new benchmarks for the port," he said, attributing the achievement to coordinated efforts by the port authority, customs, shipping agents, freight forwarders and other stakeholders.
He said the port has maintained zero waiting time for ships at the outer anchorage, although reducing cargo dwell time remains one of its key priorities.
He said the CPA is integrating its digital platform with the National Board of Revenue's system to enable pre-arrival processing and reduce container and cargo dwell times.
He said operating expenditure has been brought down to around Tk 19.51 billion in FY2025-26 from Tk 23.88 billion in the previous fiscal year, generating savings of at least Tk 4.37 billion.
"The expenditure reduction was achieved without compromising port operations, despite rising market inflation and higher operating costs caused by the prevailing global situation," he added.
Industry analysts say the continued growth in cargo and container handling highlights Chattogram Port's expanding role in Bangladesh's external trade and strengthens its position as a key maritime gateway in the Bay of Bengal.
Meanwhile, CPA has inaugurated a new one-stop service centre with record financial and operational performance in FY2025-26. The new facility, built at a cost of around Tk 800 million, brings key port-related services under one roof and is equipped with security systems compliant with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
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