Chattogram port, the country’s main gateway for import and export trade, has regained the much-desired ‘zero waiting time’ with no ships now waiting at the outer anchorage.

In a press release issued on Sunday night, Chittagong Port Authority secretary Syed Refayet Hamim said the achievement was made possible through coordinated planning, efficient management, and cooperation among all stakeholders.

He said that the development had enabled ships to complete loading and unloading faster, reduce turnaround time, and ensure quicker delivery of goods.

The release said that since the beginning of Ramadan, the CPA had continued its all-out efforts to keep ship waiting time at zero to maintain the country’s supply chain.

He said that roster duties had been assigned to officials and employees in the operational branch during the Eid holiday to ensure waiting time remained at zero.

After achieving ‘zero waiting time’ in September, Chattogram port maintained the status through October, November, and December. 

The operation lost momentum from late January to early February due to a work stoppage and other factors.

With operations returning to full swing, the waiting time has once again been brought down to zero, Syed Refayet said, adding that the port remained operational even during the Eid holidays. 

Although the vessel waiting time had risen to 3–5 days just before Eid, intensified supervision and coordination by the authorities successfully eliminated the backlog at the outer anchorage, he added.

‘This reduces both time and costs for shipping companies. Importers are receiving goods faster, and exporters are meeting their shipping deadlines. The reduction in logistics costs is also having a positive impact on market prices, ultimately benefiting consumers,’ he added.

Roster duties for officials and employees ensured that port operations continued uninterrupted throughout the Eid break, he added.