Chittagong Sea Port : History, Importance and Trade

Chittagong Seaport, also known as Chittagong Port, is the main seaport of Bangladesh and one of the oldest seaports in the region. Located on the banks of the Karnaphuli river in Chittagong city, this port is the gateway to international trade of the country and the port plays an important role in the economy of Bangladesh.

History of Chittagong sea port

The history of Chittagong sea port goes back many centuries. It has been an important trading center since ancient times, when merchants from different parts of the world came to trade goods such as spices, silk and textiles. In the first century, Arab traders used the port as a key stop on their trade routes. Chittagong was a center of agitation during the rule of various local rulers and empires including Arakanese, Mughal and British.

During the British colonial period, Chittagong became more significant as the British used the port to export tea, jute and other commodities. After the independence of Bangladesh in 1971, the port was modernized and expanded to handle the growing demand of trade and commerce. Currently, it is the busiest port in Bangladesh and serves as an important gateway for goods entering and leaving the country.

Importance of Chittagong sea port

Chittagong sea port is very important to Bangladesh for several reasons:

Economic hub: The port handles more than 90% of Bangladesh's international trade, making it the lifeline of the country's economy. Goods such as garments, textiles, raw materials and food products pass through the port, contributing to the country's economic growth.

Employment: The port creates employment opportunities for thousands of people in Chittagong and beyond. Many industries, including shipping, logistics and warehousing, depend on ports for their business operations.

Support for Industry: Bangladesh's major industries, such as garment manufacturing, depend on the port to import raw materials and export finished goods. Smooth functioning of ports ensures that these industries can operate efficiently and meet global demand.

Strategic Location: Chittagong seaport is strategically located on the Bay of Bengal, which provides easy access to Southeast Asia, South Asia and the Middle East. It is an important regional trade center and connects Bangladesh to international markets.

Regional trade: The port is also used by neighboring countries like Nepal and Bhutan for their trade activities, as these landlocked countries do not have direct access to the sea. This increases the importance of the port not only for Bangladesh but for the entire region.

Chittagong sea port area

The port is huge and covers about 3,500 acres. It has various facilities like container terminal, storage area, warehouse and loading/unloading zone. The port is well equipped with modern machinery and equipment to efficiently handle large volumes of cargo.

The port has several berths where ships dock to load and unload goods. These berths are designed to accommodate a variety of vessels ranging from container ships to bulk carriers. The port has special terminals for handling oil, gas and other liquid cargoes.

Export and import trade of Chittagong sea port

Chittagong sea port plays an important role in export and import trade of Bangladesh. The country's trade mainly revolves around two sectors: exports, mainly driven by the garment industry, and imports, which include raw materials, machinery and food products.

Major Exports:

Garments: Bangladesh is one of the largest exporters of garments in the world and Chittagong sea port is a significant part of this trade. Ready-made garments, textiles and apparel goods are shipped through this port to markets in the US, Europe and other parts of the world.

Textiles: Apart from garments, textile products including cotton fabrics and yarn are the major export products sent from Chittagong to various countries around the world. These products are widely used in the garment industry worldwide.

Jute Products: Jute is an important cash crop of Bangladesh and its products such as jute bags, yarn and raw jute are exported from Chittagong. Jute has received renewed attention as an eco-friendly alternative to plastic, increasing its demand.

Fish and Seafood: Bangladesh's extensive river system and coastal areas provide abundant seafood. Prawns, fish and other seafood are the main export products sent from Chittagong to different countries of the world.

Leather and Leather Products: Leather products including shoes, bags and accessories enter the international market through the Chittagong sea port.

Major Imports:

Machinery and Equipment: Bangladesh imports large quantities of machinery and industrial equipment for its growing industry. These include textile machinery, construction equipment and manufacturing equipment, all of which pass through Chittagong.

Raw materials: Garments and textile industries depend heavily on imported raw materials such as cotton, synthetic fibers and chemicals. These materials are imported through ports and processed in local factories.

Food Commodities: Bangladesh imports a variety of food commodities including wheat, rice, sugar and edible oil. Chittagong serves as the main gateway for these products.

Energy and Minerals: The country imports petroleum, gas, coal and other mineral resources to meet its energy needs. The port has special terminals for handling such cargo.

Electronics and Consumer Goods: Demand for electronics and consumer goods in Bangladesh has increased with the growing middle class. Goods like mobile phones, computers, home appliances and automobiles are imported through Chittagong sea port.

Modernization and expansion

The Chittagong sea port has been continuously modernized to keep up with the growing trade volume. New container terminals, cranes and storage facilities have been added to improve efficiency and reduce traffic congestion. The government has also invested in expanding the port's capacity, ensuring it is able to handle larger ships and more cargo.

The port is now capable of processing millions of containers per year and its container handling capacity is continuously increasing. In addition, new digital systems have been introduced to streamline customs clearance and reduce paperwork, making the process faster and more efficient for importers and exporters.



Chittagong seaport is the backbone of Bangladesh's international trade and an important player in its economic development. Its history spans centuries, and its importance continues to grow as Bangladesh expands its presence in the world market. The port's strategic location, modern infrastructure and ease of export and import make it an essential asset for Bangladesh and its surrounding regions. With further modernization and expansion, the port will remain an important hub for trade in the years to come, contributing to the prosperity of Bangladesh and its neighbours, Insha'Allah.