Chittagong Port’s 2025 Nighttime Revolution

The Sleeping Giant Awakens

SInce inception, Chittagong Port- the lifeline of Bangladesh’s trade has suffered from a glaring inefficiency: nighttime silence. While ships anchored, containers waited, and transporters dozed, valuable hours slipped through the cracks. But in 2025, the port flipped the script.

Thanks to a strategic push led by the Ministry of Shipping and Chittagong Port Authority (CPA), the once-dormant night hours have turned into a bustling logistical breakthrough. The numbers? Mind-blowing. Demurrage fees dropped by 18%, container dwell time slashed by 29 hours on average, and truck turnaround time improved by 22% since January 2025.

What Changed Overnight?

✅ Extended Night Operations

In January 2025, CPA implemented 24/7 customs clearance trials—backed by rotating night shifts, express terminal handling units, and incentivized night trucking.

• Before: Port operations wound down by 6 PM.

• Now: Container unloading, document processing, and scanning run into the early morning.

Result: Faster cargo flow, lower congestion, and fewer vessels waiting offshore—cutting average berth waiting time by 9 hours per ship.

Customs Collaboration

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) designated a dedicated night-shift customs desk. 15 senior officers rotate in teams to process clearances from 7 PM to 3 AM.

Logistics Partner’s Quote:

“Earlier, we lost 2–3 days just waiting for customs to resume the next morning. Now, if we submit at 10 PM, we’re often cleared by dawn.” – Manager, Customs Clearance Team, A Leading Brokerage Company in Chittagong Port operating since 1996.

Digital Gate Pass Automation

Port Entry and Exit gates were digitized under the Smart Gate initiative. Truckers now get e-passes via an app, reducing idle queue time at gates from 70 minutes to 18 minutes.

Real-Time Case Scenario: A Garments Client

Before (Nov 2024):

• 3×40’ containers of finished knitwear

• Arrival: Friday 5:30 PM

• Customs closed: Waited until Sunday morning

• Demurrage: BDT 28,000

After (May 2025):

• Same shipment

• Arrival: Friday 9:15 PM

• Cleared by Saturday 2:00 AM

• Demurrage: BDT 0

Savings: Over $250 USD in one shipment
Annualized projection: $37,000 saved on demurrage for the Garments alone.

18% Demurrage Reduction: Myth or Reality?

Several freight forwarders, including leading freight forwarders of the country reported a combined 18% drop in demurrage across Q1–Q2 2025 compared to Q3–Q4 2024.

Contributors:

• Reduced idle container days

• Faster clearance turnaround

• Weekend + night port staff availability

• Smoother coordination with shipping lines

CPA now shares a public-facing dashboard showing real-time vessel movements and port efficiency metrics—adding transparency for users.

Impact on Inland Transport

Nighttime clearance has boosted the logistics spine beyond the port gate. Here’s how:

• Truck Availability: Local transporters now optimize night pickups, improving fleet utilization by 31%.

• Route Speed: Less congestion at gates means more predictable delivery windows.

• Driver Productivity: Night driving premiums increased 20%, attracting higher-skilled drivers for sensitive cargo.

Early Adopters Are Winning

Here are 3 logistics company who embraced the night shift and won big:

Challenges and Limitations

This revolution isn’t without hiccups:

• Driver Safety: Night trucking raises safety concerns along Dhaka–Chittagong highway for both the drivers and fleets as well.

• Customs Staffing Gaps: Weekends still see thinner rosters due to lack of customs official presence.

• App Glitches: Smart Gate users reported login issues, delaying some gate passes which results in long queue.

CPA says improvements are underway: a 24/7 helpline, an auto-escalation system for stuck clearances, and a pilot project with RFID container tracking starting in September 2025.

Key Questions Answered

Q1: Is Chittagong Port operational 24/7 now?
Yes. As of early 2025, major operations like unloading, customs, and trucking have night capabilities.

Q2: How much money can companies save with nighttime port clearance?
Up to 18% reduction in demurrage costs, and potentially 5–15% faster end-to-end delivery.

Q3: Which forwarders are using night clearance the most?
Leading logistics companies are providing brokerage solution at night shifts now.

Q4: Can small exporters benefit too?
Absolutely. Many SME exporters using groupage (LCL) services now get faster transits at lower costs.

🧠 Expert Insight

“This is the most exciting shift in Chittagong Port’s logistics since containerization. It’s no longer about expanding capacity—it’s about maximizing time.”
— Head of Chittagong Operation of a MNC Forwarding Company Operating in Bangladesh since 2019.

🎯 Strategic Takeaway for Forwarders

If you’re still relying on daytime customs, you’re already behind.
Switching to nighttime logistics isn’t just smart—it’s profitable.

• Audit your last 10 shipments.

• Identify how many were delayed due to office-hour limitations.

• Speak to your clearing agent about CPA’s after-hours processing.

The faster you adjust, the higher your margins. Bitnex Crestfort