Chattogram Port Moves to 24-Hour Operations to Improve Cargo Handling
Chattogram Port Moves to 24-Hour Operations to Improve Cargo Handling
Chattogram Port, Bangladesh’s principal seaport, has introduced round-the-clock operations as part of a wider effort to improve cargo handling and reduce delays in the country's trade and logistics network.
The expanded operating schedule includes customs clearance and banking services, allowing key port-related activities to continue beyond conventional business hours.
The initiative was listed among seven investment and infrastructure measures already implemented by the government, according to a report published by Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) on October 7, 2026.
Faster services for importers and exporters
The move is expected to help businesses complete port-related procedures more efficiently. Extending customs and banking services can reduce waiting periods for documentation and payments, potentially helping importers and exporters manage shipments more effectively.
Chattogram Port plays a central role in Bangladesh's international trade. Improvements in its operations are therefore important for manufacturers, exporters, shipping companies and businesses that depend on imported raw materials.
New investment planned for port capacity
Bangladesh is also pursuing additional investment in port infrastructure. The BSS report said the Laldia Container Terminal project, valued at approximately US$550 million, had reached its groundbreaking stage.
APM Terminals is targeting completion by 2030. Once operational, the terminal is expected to create more than 700 direct jobs and increase Chattogram Port's capacity by around 44 per cent, according to the report.
The New Mooring Container Terminal is another project being advanced under a public-private partnership arrangement. The report said negotiations were at the final stage for a 15-year operation and maintenance lease involving an international operator.
Implementation will determine the impact
Round-the-clock operations could improve the movement of goods, but the actual benefits will depend on coordination among port authorities, customs officials, banks, shipping companies and transport operators.
Reliable equipment, efficient documentation and smooth road connections will also be important to prevent congestion from shifting beyond the port gates.
For Bangladesh, improving port efficiency is closely connected to export competitiveness, import costs and the reliability of supply chains. The expanded operating schedule is one step in a broader effort to strengthen the country's trade infrastructure.