Chattogram Port Dwell Times Rising Despite Customs Tech Upgrades

Chattogram Port, Bangladesh's primary container gateway, is experiencing rising container dwell times despite ongoing customs digitization initiatives. This contradiction highlights a critical disconnect between technology implementation and operational effectiveness, digital infrastructure alone cannot resolve systemic bottlenecks when other factors remain constrained.

The persistence of extended dwell times despite modernization efforts suggests that customs digitization, while necessary, is insufficient to address root causes such as limited port capacity, inadequate cargo handling infrastructure, or procedural inefficiencies beyond the customs clearing function. For supply chain professionals sourcing from or shipping through Bangladesh, this signals structural challenges that may not resolve in the near term, necessitating contingency planning and potential route diversification.

This situation underscores a broader lesson in supply chain optimization: technology investments must be paired with complementary operational improvements. Chattogram's experience serves as a cautionary case for other regional ports pursuing digitization without addressing underlying capacity and procedural constraints.