Ctg port handles record number of containers in FY 2014-15

CHITTAGONG, July 4: The Chittagong port handled a record number of containers in the fiscal year (FY), 2014-15, the highest in its history since 1977.
A total of 1,867,134 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of containers were handled in the fiscal, at the growth rate of 14.9 per cent against that of the previous year. In the FY 2013-14 the port handled 1,525,509 TEUs of containers.
The country's prime maritime port saw the highest growth of container handling in the FY 2010-11, at the growth rate of 21.13 per cent. In that fiscal the port handled 1,468,914 TEUs. After that, the port's containerised cargo handling growth was the highest in the just-concluded FY.
Spokesman of Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) and director (admin) of the CPA Zafar Alam said the Chittagong port is handling 92 per cent of the country's total import and export volumes.
"Use of containers has been popularised in the maritime world for safe, secured and risk-free transportation of cargoes. Our import and export are also increasing rapidly with the passage of time," he said adding that the port authority is considering construction of container terminals at Laldiarchar, Bay Terminal and Karnaphuli Container Terminal.
The port authority has also implemented CTMS, VTMIS and other technological know-how to enhance port's containerised cargo handling capacity.
A member of Bangladesh Shipping Agents Association said use of containers is increasing rapidly for transportation of cargoes between exporters and importers.
In the present world valuable raw materials, capital machinery, even consumer goods and new cars are imported in containers for safety and security of cargoes throughout the world. As a result, growth of container handling is increasing.
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