Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday said the government has taken a series of infrastructure, digitalisation and equipment modernisation initiatives to enhance the capacity and efficiency of Chittagong Port, expressing confidence that the planned Bay Terminal will significantly boost the country's trade and economy.
He also said anyone found responsible for corruption involving the country's key seaport will face legal action, regardless of when the alleged offences took place.
"The capacity of Chittagong Sea Port is increasing gradually. The Chittagong Port Authority has been managing the port by overcoming various global and domestic challenges," the Prime Minister said while responding to a starred question from treasury bench MP Sarwar Jamal Nizam (Chattogram-13) during the question-answer session in Parliament.
Despite the global recession and the COVID-19 pandemic, he said, Chittagong Port remains operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week (24/7), ensuring uninterrupted services.
As a result, cargo handling increased from 45.396 million tonnes in 2010 to 138.152 million tonnes in 2025, while container handling rose from 1.343 million TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) to 3.409 million TEUs over the same period, Tarique Rahman said.
"Compared with the previous year, container, cargo and ship handling grew by 4.07 percent, 11.43 percent and 10.5 percent, respectively, in 2025," he added.
The Prime Minister outlined several measures taken to enhance the port's capacity.
These include the construction and operation of the Patenga Container Terminal, development of the Laldia Container Terminal, and regular capital and maintenance dredging to maintain navigability, he said.
Tarique Rahman also highlighted ongoing digitalisation initiatives, including the introduction of the online Port Community System, e-delivery orders, e-payment services, e-gate passes, CPA SKY and the Port Single Window as part of efforts to establish a paperless port.
The government has also initiated steps to automate overall port operations and procure new cargo and container handling equipment to address equipment shortages during the 2025-26 fiscal year, he added.
Replying to a supplementary question from the same MP on the Bay Terminal project, the Prime Minister said he did not have all the project details with him at that moment but will provide them if a formal notice is submitted.
However, he reaffirmed the government's commitment to implementing the Bay Terminal project, saying it will bring substantial benefits to the national economy. "The Bay Terminal will allow large mother vessels to berth directly at Chattogram Port," he said.
At present, many large vessels cannot enter the port because of navigational limitations, Tarique Rahman noted.
He said direct access for larger vessels will significantly reduce transhipment costs, accelerate import and export activities, and strengthen the country's overall economy.
Responding to another supplementary question from MP Mohammad Kamal Hossain (Dhaka-5) regarding alleged irregularities in the procurement and maintenance of container scanners at Chittagong Port, the Prime Minister said any corruption involving state assets will be dealt with strictly under the law.
"Chittagong Port is a national asset belonging to the people. If corruption has taken place there at any time, those responsible will certainly face justice in accordance with the country's laws," he told Parliament.
Tarique Rahman said his government remains committed to preventing the misuse of state resources and gradually building a corruption-free environment across public institutions.