The Mongla Port Authority (MPA) has set an ambitious target of earning Tk 600 crore in revenue and handling over 12 million tonnes of cargo in the 2025-26 fiscal year, aiming to establish the port as a key maritime hub in southwestern Bangladesh.
According to MPA Deputy Director (Media) Md Makruzzaman, the port recorded its highest-ever revenue of Tk 343.33 crore in FY 2024-25 by handling 10.4 million tonnes of cargo. The port also made a profit of Tk 62.1 crore, more than triple its target of Tk 20.5 crore — a 203.49% increase.
The target for FY 2025-26 includes accommodating around 900 foreign commercial ships, and the port is on track to meet this goal. As of August 17, just 48 days into the current fiscal year, 103 commercial ships have already docked, handling 10 lakh tonnes of cargo, including 5,332 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) of container cargo.
In July alone, Mongla Port handled 4,459 TEUs, facilitated the import of 518 reconditioned vehicles, and processed 6.5 lakh tonnes of cargo.
Infrastructure upgrades and strategic expansion
The MPA is undergoing major infrastructure upgrades, including dredging the approach channel, expanding container terminals, and digitizing customs and port operations. These efforts aim to sustain growth and improve efficiency.
The port’s strategic importance is also rising as it becomes a transit point for goods bound for India’s northeastern states and Bhutan, under bilateral transit agreements.
MPA Chairman Rear Admiral Shaheen Rahman stated that, with full utilization, Mongla Port has the potential to:
Handle 1,500 foreign ships annually
Manage 100,000 TEUs of container cargo
Process 20 million tonnes of general cargo
Clear 20,000 reconditioned vehicles per year
“Achieving these targets would not only boost national trade capacity but also create thousands of jobs in the Khulna-Bagerhat region,” he said. “Our focus is on modernizing infrastructure, improving efficiency, and unlocking Mongla’s full potential as a regional logistics hub.”
Positioning as an alternative to Chattogram
With its strategic location and rising capacity, Mongla Port is increasingly seen as a viable alternative to Chattogram Port, helping reduce congestion at the country’s main seaport and contributing to balanced regional development.
To support this vision, the MPA is regularly engaging with stakeholders — including shipping agents, C&F agents, and stevedores — to ensure smooth port operations. An Internal Business Development Standing Committee has also been formed to promote vessel arrivals and expand trade activities, already showing promising outcomes.
SR
