Key port information can also be found at: Maritime Database information on Bangladesh

Port Overview

Port Picture

The Port of Chattogram is the principal port of Bangladesh. The port was established at its present location in 1887. By 1910, four jetties were constructed to handle 0.5 million MT of cargo annually. Since then the port has grown gradually to the present shape.

It is situated on the right bank of the river Karnafuli at a distance of about 9 nautical miles from the shoreline of the Bay of Bengal. Chattogram Port is considered the heart of the economy of Bangladesh. The geographic location of this port creates the opportunity for easy and cost-effective foreign trade to be carried out through with all South Asian countries as well as other Asian countries. Enough and low-cost labour is also readily available here. For these reasons, Chattogram Port holds much potential as a highly promising regional seaport. Consequently, cargo handling through Chattogram Port has not only rapidly increased but cargo type has also diversified. The Port is a regular member of Japan based International Ports and Harbours (IAPH).As a gateway of Bangladesh, Chattogram Port not only handles 92% of the country’s international trade but also generates about 35% annual revenue of the country on account of import tax, duties and VAT which confirms the significance of the port in the Government’s finance. About 80% export-import industries and 5-Export Processing Zone (out of 10 EPZ) are situated within Dhaka and Chattogram division and Dhaka- Chattogram corridor (transportation by rail, road & river) due to the Chattogram Port. This also helps to generate about 30% of the GDP. 100% imported Petroleum Oil and Lubricant (POL) of the country is transported through this port. Not only that, through this port 100% finished product are exported and 80% raw materials & accessories are imported. For Ready Made Garments (RMG) sector, which fetches about 76% of the country’s export earnings as hard currency.

Port website: http://cpa.gov.bd/ 

Key port information may also be found at: http://www.maritime-database.com

It is situated on the right bank of the river Karnafuli at a distance of about 9 nautical miles from the shoreline of the Bay of Bengal. River Karnafuli rising in the Lushai Hill falls in the Bay of Bengal after taking a winding course of 120 nautical miles through the districts of Chattogram Hill Tracts and Chattogram. Upper limits of the river water are formed by two straight lines, one drawn across the Karnafuli River in the North by joining 2 pillars located at Lat: 22024’33″N-Long: 91054’30E and Lat: 22024’56″N- Long: 91054’11″E and the other by joining the 2 pillars located at Lat: 22025’07″N- Long: 91053’18″E and Lat: 22025’07″N- Long: 91053’10″E. These limits include so much of the sea and of the River Karnafuli and the River Halda and the area that lie within 137.162 Metre, of high water mark at ordinary spring tide and the docks, wharves, quays, stages, jetties, piers, warehouse, sheds, railway line and yards within the limits of the bounded area and such other area outside it as included in the Schedule iii of the Chattogram Port Act. The seaward approach to the Port of Chattogram may considered to be northwards of the 10-fathom contour in latitude 22024′ North and longitude 9103″ East: The distance to the pilot ground from the south patches shoal being 46 nautical miles on the direct course.

Port Performance

Chattogram Port is the core hub of export and import of the country. The port has been performing better and better each year despite lots of limitations. It is now competing with the world rated ports in terms of all matrix. This port is now ranked at 64 in the Lloyd’s list of 100 container ports in the world, which was 70th, 71st, 76th and 87th in last 4 years.

Vessels of draught ranges from 8.50 m. to 9.20 m

Maximum permissible LOA of a vessel is 190 meters

Container Handling Statistics of CPA

Discharge Rates and Terminal Handling Charges

Other Charges

 

Shifting / Detention Fees

 

Port & Harbour Dues

Container Handling Charges

Reefer Container Service

River Dues (Containerized)

Lift on / Lift off Charges

Shore handling containerised cargo

Berthing Specifications

General Cargo Handling Equipment 

Container Handling Facilities

Container Handling Equipment

Container Facilities

Customs

Customs clearance process is also mainly paper based and appraisal and verification are done without standardized modern logistics support (container scanner). Procedural complexities, lack of transparency and timeliness in decision-making often caused lot of harassment and delay in the customs clearance process.

Since 2000, ASYCUDA has been introduced without the two main modules EDI and Risk Assessment Management.  The customs clearance procedures for import still consist of 13 to 16 steps, a cumbersome, redundant, paper ledger and list-oriented process. In the absence of modern technology in controlling & appraising method, problems of trust arise among the regulatory and trade body.

Food Handling Arrangements    

For offloading from ships and safe storage of food grains CPA has dedicated a silo jetty at North Patenga. There is a silo situated adjacent to the jetty. It is one of the biggest silos in Bangladesh with storage capacity of 100,000 mt. It deals with wheat only and is under the administrative control of the Ministry of Food of the Government of Bangladesh. The strategy for Chattogram silo is to use it predominantly for quick clearance of incoming mother vessels carrying imported wheat, for storage of a national buffer stock, to maintain quality of stored grain and quick dispatching to up-country destinations with maximum efficiency.

From an operational point of view, Chattogram silo can be divided into three sub-systems:

• Receiving
• Storage
• Despatching

Receiving Sub-system

This silo has the facilities to receive food grain (particularly wheat) only in bulk through gantry. The objective of the system is as follows:

• To start unloading as quickly as possible.
• To unload grain from carrier within minimum possible time.
• To record the weight of all incoming grain accurately.
• To ensure safe storage.

Storage Sub-system

The Chattogram silo having a capacity of 103,804 MT of bulk wheat, it has 88 round bins and 54-star bins. The capacity of each round bin is 1,000 MT and the star bin is 225 MT. The silo is provided with a dust control machine. Existing fumigation on pest control systems is provided via a liquid spray system and peeled dispenser system, though it is rarely used due to non-infestation of the grain. The objective of this sub-system is to keep the grain in good quality. 

Despatching Sub-system

This silo has the facilities to dispatch food grain both in bulk and bagged form. In bulk it is mainly delivered by river coaster in Narayangonj Silo and Khulna Steel Silo and through hopper wagon in Ashugonj, Santaher and Narayangonj Silo. The bagged cargo is delivered mainly through railway covered wagon and through truck in almost all CSD and LSD in the country.

Specification of Chattogram Silo

Cargo Storage Space (Break-bulk)

Description and Contacts of Key Companies

For information on Bangladesh Port of Chittagong contact details, please see the following link: 

4.4 Bangladesh Port and Waterways Company Contact List

For information on Bangladesh Port of Chittagong additional information, please see the following document:

Bangladesh Port of Chittagong Additional Information

Bangladesh Chittagong Port Overview

Bangladesh Port of Chittagong Port Security

Note: The information provided in the attached documents, which has been taken from the old DLCA, does not match the structure of the new LCA and is therefore provided separately.