Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam has told Parliament that vessel waiting time at Chattogram Port has fallen to almost zero following the commissioning of the Patenga Container Terminal, marking a major improvement in port efficiency.
Responding to a starred question from Jamaat-e-Islami MP Shahjahan Chowdhury (Chattogram-15) on Wednesday, the minister said the terminal began operations in June 2024 and has since significantly eased congestion at the country’s busiest seaport.
He stated that ships arriving at the port are now able to berth directly without waiting at the outer anchorage. However, he noted that the average turnaround time for container-handling vessels during the 2024-25 fiscal year still stands at around 2.58 days due to operational and procedural requirements.
Explaining the difference between Chattogram Port and regional transhipment hubs like Singapore and Colombo, the minister said those ports primarily handle cargo transfer between large and smaller vessels and do not require customs clearance processes that are mandatory in Bangladesh.
He added that Chattogram Port mainly serves domestic import and export needs, which involves customs examination and clearance, contributing to longer processing times.
The minister said the port authority has undertaken several modernisation initiatives, including installation of advanced equipment and improvements in operational management. He expressed confidence that vessel turnaround time would continue to decline further.
Rabiul Alam also said the Bay Terminal project is expected to become operational by 2030, which will allow mother vessels to enter the port directly without tidal restrictions, further easing congestion.
He added that all planned container terminals at Chattogram Port are expected to be operational by 2029, including the Laldia Container Terminal being developed by AP Moller-Maersk, and Bay Terminal projects involving PSA International and DP World, along with a government-led component.
Once fully implemented, he said, Chattogram Port will operate at a level comparable to major international ports such as Singapore and Colombo.
The minister also highlighted ongoing expansion at Mongla Port, including new jetty construction by a Chinese firm, improved rail connectivity, and development of cold storage facilities. He said the port has already generated around Tk110 crore in revenue this year and is expected to play a greater role in national trade once infrastructure upgrades are completed.
