Cargo handling at Chittagong Port up 20% in Jan-Dec '05

Chittagong: The Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) handled 19.97 per cent more cargo in last year than 2004. The CPA also handled 13.73 per cent more containers in 2005 compared with 2004.

Sources said, in the Chittagong Port, the prime sea port of Bangladesh, 29,568,425 MT cargo were handled from January to December in 2005 while 24,645,774 MT cargo were handled from January to December in 2004. Total 4,922,651 MT cargo as more handled in 2005 than 2004. The growth of cargo handling in Chittagong port is 19.97 per cent.

According to the sources, in the Chittagong Port, 783,353 TEUs of containers were handled from January to December in 2005 while 688,771 TEUS container were handled from January to December in 2004. Total 94,582 TEUs more containers were handled in the last 2005 then 2004. The growth of container handling in Chittagong port is 13.73 per cent.

Besides, total 78,660 TEUs containers including 39,582 TEUS import containers and 39,078 TEUs export containers were handled at ICD at Dhaka in 2005 while 68,567 TEUs containers including 34,372 TEUs import containers and 34,195 TEUs export containers were handled at ICD in 2004. The growth of container handling at ICD at Dhaka is 14.71 per cent

Sources said, from January to December in 2005, total 13,86,592 MT food grain, 6,247,649 MT cement clinker, 149,7764 MT Fertiliser, 5503 MT coal, 118,920 MT salt, 680061 MT sugar, 1064058 MT edible oil, 3969813 MT petroleum, oil and lubricants (POL) and 8018762 MT other goods were imported in Bangladesh through Chittagong Port. On the other hand, from January to December in 2004, total 670,811 MT food grain, 5361843 MT cement clinker, 10,25,124 MT Fertiliser, 15343 MT salt, 752830 MT sugar, 1115898 MT edible oil, 36,81970 MT POL and 67,89,641 MT other goods were imported in Bangladesh through Chittagong Port. The growth of import in Bangladesh is 18.42 per cent.

From January to December in 2005, total 151981 MT jute, 313810 MT jute products, 5595 MT leather goods, 6568 MT tea, 1019,012 MT garments, 40,727 MT frozen goods, 384424 MT urea fertiliser, 99,032 MT naptha, 17,3805 MT ammonia and 700815 other goods were exported. On the other hand, from January to December in 2004, total 109410 MT jute, 196950 MT jute products, 35072 MT leather goods, 31,496 MT tea, 905,273 MT garments, 33,813 MT frozen goods, 295,242 MT urea fertiliser, 63,547 MT naptha, 97,094 MT ammonia and 69,1075 other goods were exported. The growth of export from Bangladesh is 17.76 per cent, sources added.

Moreover, total number of 'called vessels' is 1982 and number of 'sailed vessels' is 1892 from January to December in 2005. Besides, total number of 'called vessels' is 1858 and number of 'sailed vessels' is 1764 from January to December in 2004. The 'turn around time' was 4.55 in 2005 while 4.22 in 2004.