Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday said the government has undertaken a series of development and technology-driven initiatives to enhance the capacity, modernise operations and ensure efficient management of Chattogram Port after overcoming years of irregularities and operational inefficiencies.
The prime minister disclosed the information in a written reply to a question from Sarwar Jamal Nizam, a lawmaker from Chattogram-13, during the second session of the Jatiya Sangsad. The sitting was chaired by Deputy Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal.
He said the operational capacity of Chattogram Port has been increasing steadily over the years.
Despite the global economic slowdown, the COVID-19 pandemic and other international challenges, the country’s principal seaport maintained uninterrupted operations 24 hours a day, seven days a week, ensuring the smooth flow of Bangladesh’s import and export activities, he said.
According to the prime minister, cargo handling at Chattogram Port stood at 45.4 million metric tonnes in 2010, while container handling was 1.34 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs).
By 2025, cargo handling had increased to 138.15 million metric tonnes and container throughput had reached 3.41 million TEUs. Compared with the previous year, cargo handling grew by 4.7 percent and container handling by 10.5 percent in 2025, he added.
To further enhance the port’s capacity, the government is implementing several major infrastructure projects, including the construction of new terminals. Operations have already begun at the Patenga Container Terminal (PCT), while construction of the Laldia Container Terminal is progressing. Regular capital and maintenance dredging is also being carried out to maintain navigability, the prime minister said.
He said the government has placed particular emphasis on digitalising port management to improve efficiency and service delivery. As part of these efforts, the port has introduced an online Port Community System, e-Delivery Order, e-Payment facilities and various automation initiatives.
Security has also been strengthened in line with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. An online payment system has been introduced to enable users to pay port charges more quickly and conveniently. In addition, an e-Gate Pass system has been launched to facilitate vehicle entry, while the CPA SKY system and the Port Single Window have been introduced as part of the implementation of a paperless port. The government has also initiated steps to achieve full automation of port operations.
The prime minister further said that initiatives have been taken in the 2025-26 fiscal year to procure new equipment to enhance the port’s cargo and container handling capacity. Work orders have already been issued for the procurement of three five-tonne forklifts, while tenders for two empty container handling forklifts and two 10-tonne forklifts are currently under evaluation.
Tarique Rahman said the government would continue investing in infrastructure development, expanding technology-based services and procuring modern equipment to further improve the efficiency and capacity of the country’s principal seaport.
He expressed confidence that the implementation of these initiatives would accelerate Bangladesh’s import and export activities and strengthen the country’s competitiveness in international trade.
