In terms of annual container handling, Chittagong port moved six notches up to become the 58th busiest container port among 100 top ports across the globe, according to the Lloyd’s List — the world’s oldest journal on port and shipping.
The 2020 edition of Lloyd’s List of One Hundred Ports has recently been published, tallying up the annual container throughput figures of the world’s elite port facilities in 2019.
Chittagong port handled 3,088,187 TEUs (twenty equivalent units) of containers in 2019, up from 2,903,996 TEUs in 2018, posting a 6.3% annual growth in the container handling.
The Lloyd’s List stated that Chittagong port's flourishing export trade of readymade garments continues to help the port flourish.
Shanghai port, with a throughput of 43,303,000 TEUs, secured top position in this year’s chart.
A total of 24 Chinese ports are on the chart while two Indian ports - Jawaharlal Nehru Port and Mundra port -- secured 33rd and 37th positions respectively.
The Sri Lankan port of Colombo was ranked 24th in the list.
Chittagong Port is now 27 steps ahead of Pakistan’s Karachi port, which ranked 85th.
Of the total goods shipped through Chittagong port, 27% is shipped through the containers while the remaining 73% is shipped through the general vessels (bulk, break bulk and tanker).
Rear Admiral SM Abul Kalam Azad, chairman of Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) said that the Shipping Ministry and the port users also made contributions for achieving the feat.
“Apart from existing capacities, the port expansion activities are underway. Construction of Patenga Terminal, Bay Terminal and Matarbari port are also progressing which will help improve the port’s ranking in future,” said the CPA Chairman.
Mahbubul Alam, president of Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) said that the economic growth in the service and industrial sectors has been reflected in the growth of container throughput of the port.
“The container handling will soar in the days to come. That is why there is no other alternative than to enhance the port’s overall facilities,” said Alam, also president of the Port Users’ Forum.