MONGLA, Bangladesh's No 2 seaport, suffered a 36.7 per cent year-on-year plunge in container volume to 12,083 TEU in the second half of 2024, according of official data, reports the Dhaka Daily Star.

The decline was worst in January, when container volume fell 42.02 per cent 1,697 TEU, reflecting lower imports amid a sluggish domestic economy.

Khayrul Bashar, CEO of local cargo service provider Fleet Freight, said the decline in container handling is a result of the country's slowing industrial output.

"Many businesses are cutting back on imports due to rising costs and tighter financial conditions," said Mr Bashar while citing reduced shipments of bulk cargo and consumer goods through Mongla port.