KHULNA, July 10: The Mongla Sea Port has set a new record by earning revenue of Tk 343.33 crore through loading and unloading (cargo handling) over 10.41 million tons of goods during the 2024-25 fiscal year.
The net profits stand Tk 62.1 cr, although the MPA set a target Tk 20.5cr (203.49% higher).
The Mongla port saw a total of 11,579 reconditioned vehicles imported.
The MPA has set a target to collect Tk 333.87cr by loading-unloading over 8.88 metric tonnes, increasing revenue Tk 9.46 cr (2.83%) and 1.53 metric tonnes (17.25%).
A total of 21,456 TEUs containers were handled during the period at the port, the MPA set a target 20,000 TEUs.
According to the Mongla Port Authority (MPA) data, 10.412 million tons of goods were loaded and unloaded, whereas the MPA set a target of 8.88 million tonnes at the country's second-largest seaport during FY2024-25, resulting in an increase of 1.53 million tonnes in goods handling.
A total of 10.86 million tons of cargo was handled in 2023-24 FY, whereas 9.90 million tons of cargo was handled in FY 2022-23. A total of 31,044 TEUs containers were handled in FY 2023-24, whereas 26,583 TEUs containers were handled in FY 2022-23.
Besides, 830 commercial foreign ships come to and go from the Mongla Port, although the MPA set a target of 800 ships to come and go in the 2024-25 FY.
In addition, larger ships are now able to dock at the port jetty, and the port authorities consider it one of the successes after the completion of the dredging of different river channels, including Mongla-Ghasiakhali.
According to the statistics, the port is advancing in all three categories of containers, cargo goods and shipping.
MPA Chairman Rear Admiral Shaheen Rahman said, despite having risk, the port was fully operational at this time of crisis to keep the country's economy afloat.
"We reached the record and it will increase our ranking," he added.
He said Mongla Port is now earning a record profit and it proves that Bangladesh's economy is growing and its foreign trade is also increasing.
The MPA Chairman said Mongla Port is moving forward with the joint efforts of all stakeholders, including officers and employees, berth operators, terminal operators, ship handling operators, C&F agents, freight forwarders, shipping agents and workers.
Since taking office, the Chief Advisor of the Interim Government Dr. Md. Yunus, has been working to enhance transparency and accountability at the port.
At various times, the Advisor to the Ministry of Shipping, Brigadier General (Retd) M Sakhawat Hossain, the Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping Mohammad Yusuf, and other senior officials have visited Mongla Port and issued instructions for the development and expansion of port activities.
Their timely guidance has helped increase operational activity at the port and significantly contributed to achieving all targets for the fiscal year 2024-25, he added.
Mongla Port Deputy Director(media) Md Makruzzaman said, that currently the port imports and exports huge goods as the present government has taken massive initiatives, including dredging,
The imported goods are Food grains, fertilizers, vehicles, LPG, slag, limestone, soybean oil, edible oils, fuel oil, fresh food, general cargo, gypsum, machinery, timber logs, coal, stones, clinker, palm oil, flood oil, fly ash, iron, oil seeds, steel pipes, molasses, etc while the main Exported goods are Garments, jute and jute goods, shrimp, white fish, dried fish, clay, crabs, machinery, cotton yarn, frozen food, general merchandise, etc.
Following government directives, Rear Admiral Shahin Rahman, Chairman of Mongla Port Authority, has been holding regular meetings with port stakeholders, shipping agents, C&F agents, stevedores, and other port users, utilising his knowledge, wisdom, and experience in port management.
To increase vessel arrivals, he also formed the Internal Business Development Standing Committee, which has yielded positive results.
Additionally, through regular meetings with officers and staff, he has successfully boosted morale and operational efficiency, helping implement port development plans.
