Staff Reporter :
Container handling operations at the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) of Chittagong Port have witnessed a remarkable improvement of 36.4% following the recent management takeover by Chittagong Dry Dock Limited (CDDL).
According to data released by the Office of the Chief Adviser, during the first seven days under CDDL’s management (07-13 July 2025), the terminal handled an average of 3,181 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) daily, marking a sharp rise from the previous weekly average of 2,956 TEUs under former operator Saif Powertec Limited.
This 225 TEU per day increase comes in the wake of Saif Powertec’s contract expiring on 06 July, after which the Ministry of Shipping approved CDDL to assume control.
Since the transition, the NCT terminal has demonstrated enhanced coordination, streamlined workflows, and improved operational discipline.
During this week-long period, the port completed container handling for 10 vessels, with four additional vessels currently being serviced simultaneously across the terminal’s four berths-a sign of strengthened scheduling and berthing efficiency.
Port officials are optimistic that this upward trend will continue, contributing not only to improved port performance but also to broader economic goals.
Chittagong Port handles over 90% of Bangladesh’s international trade, making its efficiency directly tied to national economic performance.
Faster and more reliable container handling means quicker turnaround times for cargo vessels, reduced shipping congestion, and lower logistics costs for both exporters and importers.
For the export sector, particularly in garments, textiles, leather goods, and pharmaceuticals, better port operations translate into more timely deliveries, increased competitiveness in global markets, and stronger buyer confidence.
On the import side, smoother cargo handling facilitates quicker inflow of raw materials, machinery, and essential goods, helping industries maintain production timelines and stabilizing domestic supply chains.
Improved port performance can also help Bangladesh become a more attractive destination for foreign direct investment (FDI), especially in sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, and transshipment.
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus emphasised the strategic role of Chittagong Port in national development.
Earlier in May, he stressed that enhancing port infrastructure would naturally lead to improvements in other sectors, especially road connectivity and urban infrastructure in Chattogram.
Even on 30 April, the Chief Adviser had directed authorities to expedite discussions with potential foreign investors to expand the port’s capacity and upgrade its services to world-class standards.
He reiterated that efficient and competitive operators must be engaged in port management to prepare the country’s ports for global competition.
“We have to make our ports world-class to establish the investment hub we are talking about,” he said.
As Bangladesh eyes long-term economic transformation, improvements at Chittagong Port are expected to play a central role in positioning the country as a regional logistics and trade hub, supporting sustainable growth across all sectors.
