📍 Chittagong, Bangladesh | ✅ Member of JC Trans – ID No: 159789
🌐 Global freight & NVOCC solutions | Sea • Air • Customs • Door-to-Door • SOC containers
The past week brought major operational relief for Bangladesh’s maritime trade. After months of uncertainty, the Port of Chittagong has officially restored “zero waiting time” for vessels, while post-strike operations are running 24/7. However, fuel vessel priority and inland constraints still need close monitoring. Here is your complete weekly update for freight forwarders, exporters, and logistics partners.
1. Chattogram Port: “Zero Waiting Time” Restored
Major positive development: Chattogram port authorities have eliminated anchorage delays. Vessels can now berth immediately upon arrival, a sharp contrast to the Jan–Feb disruption period.
- ⚡ Faster vessel turnaround
- 💰 Lower demurrage & waiting costs
- 📅 Improved schedule reliability for supply chains
2. Operations Stabilized After Previous Strike Disruption
Earlier labour strikes had completely halted loading/unloading. This week, the port is fully operational and running 24/7 (even during Eid holidays). The backlog is mostly cleared, and export shipments are moving more smoothly.
- ✅ Fully resumed berth & yard activities
- ✅ Cargo handling without interruptions
- ✅ Export RMG & dry cargo flows normalizing
3. Strong Cargo & Container Handling Recovery
Container throughput normalized after the Eid slowdown, and yard utilization is back to efficient levels. Trend: Port efficiency improving · supply chain pressure easing.
4. Increase in Fuel & LNG Vessel Arrivals
Multiple energy vessels are arriving this week due to global fuel instability (Middle East tensions):
- ⛽ 27,000+ tons diesel tanker already berthed
- 🧊 ~200,000 tons LNG shipments incoming
5. Underlying Risks Still Present
Even with improved port performance, structural bottlenecks remain:
- 🔸 Lighter Vessel Shortage (ongoing structural issue) – previously caused 80+ vessels waiting offshore; still a long-term bottleneck for mother vessels.
- 🔸 Inland Transport Constraints – rail capacity limitations recently caused yard congestion, delaying evacuation of import boxes.
👉 Meaning: Even if the port is smooth, inland logistics can still delay final delivery. Plan extra buffer for ICD moves.
6. Freight Market Situation (Bangladesh Perspective)
- 📦 Export (RMG, leather, jute) moving steadily – booking volumes stable.
- 📥 Import flow stable after Ramadan pressure, but no major spike yet.
- 💵 Rates: Still higher than normal globally, but more predictable vs last month (carriers offering 2–3 week validity).
📌 Key Takeaways for Forwarders (Bangladesh)
📦 Strategy: Good time to push shipments – reliability window is open.
💼 Practical Advice (For Your Business)
Since you are in freight forwarding / logistics, here is actionable guidance:
- ✅ Now is a good window to offer competitive transit time to your clients (zero waiting = firm ETA).
- ⏳ Quote validity: still keep short (7–10 days) – fuel geopolitics can shift rates quickly.
- 📡 Monitor: Fuel vessel congestion & any new labour unrest (NCT issue not fully resolved).
- 🚛 Coordinate with truckers early to avoid rail-yard backlogs.
We offer FCL/LCL, air freight, customs clearance, SOC containers, OOG & project cargo from Chittagong, Dhaka, and Mongla ports. Let our expertise work for your supply chain.
🚀 Need reliable freight support?
Tap into zero-waiting port efficiency. Get competitive rates + real-time updates.
Request Quote Talk to Expert