Chattogram Port maintained its 68th position in the world’s top 100 container port rankings in container handling, says BSS report.
The ranking, which reflects container throughput at ports worldwide for 2025, was released by Lloyd’s List, a London-based shipping and ports publication, in its latest special report titled Lloyd’s List: One Hundred Ports 2026.
As per the report, Chattogram Port processed 3,409,069 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of containers in 2025, an increase from 3,275,627 TEUs in 2024.
The port dropped one position to 68th in the 2025 ranking after holding the 67th position for two consecutive years.
Despite achieving a record volume of container handling in 2024, Chattogram’s ranking declined as other ports experienced more rapid growth.
Lloyd’s List noted that growth at Chattogram has been constrained; however, significant investments from APM Terminals, MSC, and Red Sea Gateway are transforming the future of Bangladesh’s primary container port.
The Saudi Arabia-based Red Sea Gateway Terminal (RSGT) commenced partial operations at the newly constructed Patenga Container Terminal (PCT) at Chattogram Port in June 2024 and initiated full-scale operations at the terminal this year.
In addition, Danish terminal operator APM Terminals is poised to start construction of the Laldia Container Terminal this month, with the foundation stone for the terminal set to be laid on Sunday.
China’s Shanghai Port retained its leading position after handling 55,062,500 TEUs in 2025, while Singapore Port secured the second spot.
Historical data indicates that Chattogram Port has experienced considerable fluctuations in its Lloyd’s List ranking over the past decade.
In the 2024 edition, based on data from 2023, the port held on to the 67th position despite a 2.9% decrease in container handling.
In the 2023 edition, which utilized data from 2022, Chattogram fell three positions to 67th place after processing 3,142,504 TEUs, reflecting a 2.2% decrease from the previous year.
The port had ascended three positions to 64th in 2022.
Prior to this, Chattogram had consistently improved for seven consecutive years. However, in the 2021 edition, which was based on 2020 data, it experienced a decline of nine places to 67th, primarily due to the disruptions in garment exports caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, which adversely affected container handling.
The port was ranked 58th in 2020, 64th in 2019, 70th in 2018, 71st in 2017, 76th in 2016, 87th in 2015, and 86th in 2014.
Nevertheless, port users argue that the Lloyd’s List ranking should not be regarded as a comprehensive indicator of a port’s overall performance.
They emphasize that the ranking is predominantly based on container throughput, which means that a port may drop in the rankings even if its operational capacity or efficiency improves, provided that other ports experience more rapid growth.
For Chattogram, the recent investments in new terminals are anticipated to enhance handling capacity and transform its standing in global rankings in the years ahead.
In a sudden response, Mohammad Amirul Haque, the president of the centenary trade organization Chattogram Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stated to BSS, “There is no room for complacency at the port. No individual deserves praise. The commendation should go to the port users. The credit for maintaining the 68th position particularly belongs to the importers, industrialists, investors, and the general public. The port has successfully upheld its position by navigating numerous challenges, including various obstacles, economic downturns, the dollar crisis, and other difficulties.
According to a report by Lloyd’s List, APM Terminals, MSC, and Red Sea Gateway are set to make significant investments. I believe that if the Bay Terminal is launched, Chattogram Port could rank among the top 20 ports globally, he added.