Patenga Terminal Cuts Vessel Waiting Time: Minister

The operation of the Patenga Container Terminal has significantly improved efficiency at Chattogram Port, reducing vessel waiting time to nearly zero, Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam told Parliament on Wednesday.

Responding to a question from a lawmaker, the minister said ships are now berthing directly at the port without prolonged delays following the terminal’s launch in June 2024.

“The average waiting time for vessels at the port has fallen to almost zero since the Patenga Container Terminal began operations,” he said.

According to the minister, the average turnaround time for container-handling vessels at Chattogram Port stood at 2.58 days during fiscal year 2024–25, with authorities expecting further reductions through continued modernisation efforts.

He explained that Chattogram Port differs from major regional hubs such as Singapore and Colombo, which mainly function as transshipment centres where containers are transferred between large and smaller vessels without customs clearance.

In contrast, Chattogram operates primarily as a feeder port, where customs inspections, cargo clearance and related formalities must be completed, contributing to comparatively longer handling times.

Nearly all containers handled through the port are linked to Bangladesh’s domestic market and exports, while transshipment cargo remains minimal, he added.

The minister said port authorities have introduced advanced equipment and management reforms to improve efficiency and reduce congestion.

“As a result, turnaround time has already decreased and is expected to improve further in the coming years,” he said.

The government expects the Bay Terminal project to become operational by 2030, a development that is projected to significantly expand the port’s container-handling capacity and allow large mother vessels to dock without tidal restrictions.

Once completed, the project is expected to ease congestion and strengthen Bangladesh’s maritime trade capacity.

The minister also expressed optimism that all planned container terminals at Chattogram Port would be fully operational by 2029, enabling the port to operate at a level closer to major international hubs.

He said the Laldia Container Terminal is being developed by Danish shipping giant A.P. Moller–Maersk under a government agreement, while the Bay Terminal project is being developed in cooperation with Singapore-based PSA International.

Discussions are also underway with Dubai-based DP World regarding the development of Bay Terminal 2.

On Mongla Port, the minister said expansion work is progressing, including the construction of three new jetties and cold storage facilities, alongside improved rail connectivity with Khulna, Jashore and Dhaka.

He expressed confidence that ongoing infrastructure projects would enable Mongla Port to play a greater role in supporting Bangladesh’s import and export activities in the coming years.