Foreign-flagged ships carry 89% of Ctg Port's import cargo
Foreign vessels transport 84% of export cargo and 91% of empty export containers in the first half of 2026.
Foreign-flagged vessels carried nearly 89% of import cargo and 84% of export cargo handled through Chattogram Port in the first six months of 2026, highlighting Bangladesh's continued dependence on foreign ships for maritime trade.
Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam disclosed the figures in a written reply to a question from Cumilla-9 lawmaker Md Abul Kalam during the question-answer session in parliament today (7 September).
According to the minister's data, Chattogram Port handled 7,01,363 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of import cargo between 1 January and 30 June.
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Foreign-flagged vessels transported 6,22,797 TEUs, accounting for about 89% of the total.
During the same period, the port handled 3,92,220 TEUs of export cargo, of which foreign vessels carried 3,29,318 TEUs, or about 84%.
In addition, foreign-flagged vessels also transported 2,70,070 of the 2,95,151 TEUs of empty export containers handled during the period, accounting for around 91%.
Govt plans to expand Bangladesh-flagged fleet
The shipping minister said increasing the number and capacity of Bangladesh-flagged ocean-going vessels is necessary in the national interest.
A greater share of domestic vessels in import and export trade would reduce foreign-currency outflows on vessel hire and freight costs, while creating jobs and strengthening the country's maritime transport capacity, he said.
The government is working to expand the fleet of Bangladesh-flagged ocean-going vessels, Sakhawat said.
Measures are being taken to encourage investment in new vessels, provide policy support to shipowners and increase the participation of Bangladesh-flagged ships in the country's international trade, he added.
