Chattogram Port: A dedicated service institution to evolve the country boldly

Abstract

Chattogram Port, the premier seaport of Bangladesh, has reached a remarkable position, not only in South Asia, but also in the world for its record performance in handling cargo and containers. This has happened due to continuous increase of GDP, infrastructural development, increased purchasing power, foreign exchange by manpower business, port development, and the efforts of many people. The history of Chattogram port began in the 4^th century BC, when Chattogram was known as “Shetgang”, or “Delta of the Ganges”; later, in the 16^th century, it was known as “Porte Grande”. The present location of the port was established in the year 1887 that developed by 1910. In 1960, all assets of the port were declared under the property of “Port Trust”. However, port management, operations, and others are directed by Chittagong Port Authority Ordinance, 1976. As per port throughput of 2019, the port was declared as the 58^th busiest container port in the world by Lloyds List in their 100 ports ranking in 2020. Furthermore, in 2021, Chattogram Port handled a record 3.2 million TEUs. This research applied a mixed-method approach, where the quantitative approach tried to explore Chattogram Port’s performance data, and the qualitative approach used historical data and information to articulate port features in the internal and external environment. The originalities of this research are geopolitical debate to select Chattogram Port as a prime maritime load center of South Asia to connect the landlocked parts of India, Nepal, Bhutan, China, and Myanmar, active regional and international forums like BCIM, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal (BBIN), SAARC, BIMSTEC, OBOR, and QUAD based on Chattogram Port, and development of Liner Shipping Connectivity Index (LSCI) internationally to improve freight transport connectivity, and use expansion of hinterland to provide maritime logistics services for regional connectivity. A recent step by the port authority to invest in constructing a deep seaport in the Bay of Bengal, attractive to the world port community and remarked by all in port expansion, investment, and efficiency, was investigated rigorously. Overall, this paper aims to explore Chattogram Port’s current activity and future planning, and recall the port’s history as inspiration and motivation to shape the port in a notable position in the port world.

Highlights

• Dedication of Chattogram port in developing Bangladesh
• Managing maximum Import and Export trade to increase the GDP of Bangladesh
• Golden gateway of the Bay of Bengal
• Regional connectivity in South Asia