The Port of Chittagong is the principal Port of the People's
Republic of Bangladesh. It is situated on the right bank of the river Karnafuli
at a distance of about 9 nautical miles from the shore line of the Bay of
Bengal. River Karnafuli rising in the Lushai Hill falls in the Bay of Bengal
after taking a winding course of 120 nautical miles through the districts of
Chittagong Hill Tracts and Chittagong.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
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| Chittagong Port Office |
The history of Chittagong Port can be traced back to the 4th
century BC. During the 9th-15th century AD, Chittagong was known as ‘SHETGANG’
to earlyEuropean mariners. In the 16th century, Portuguese sailors took great
interest in the locality around Chittagong which was then popularly known as
‘PORTE GRANDE’. The port was established at its present location in 1887. By
1910, four jetties were constructed to handle 0.5 million tons of cargo
annually. Since then the port has grown gradually to its present shape.
SEAWARD LIMIT
With Patenga Beacon as centre if an arc is drawn seaward
with a radius of 5.5 nautical miles till it intercepts the coast line at
positions :-
Lat 220 18'45" N. Long. 91046'30"E in the North
and Lat 22008'13"N.Long 91050'00"E in the South, the area enclosed
within the extremities if the arc will from the Seaward limit of the Port of
Chittagong.
SERVICE AND FACILITIES
Pilotage is compulsory for ocean going vessels. The entrance
to the river is constantly changing and no vessel should attempt to enter
without pilot. Pilot boards approximately 2 nautical miles seaward of the outer
Bar Buoy.
In the moderate heavy weather a lee must be made for the
Pilot Boat. The vessel receiving a Pilot is required to wait at the pilot
ground near the entrance all clear of anchor taking into consideration the
effect of tide and other conditions to facilitate boarding of the pilot in good
time to be able to avail of the tide for entering and berthing etc. The
propelling distance from the pilot ground to the main jetties is approximately
11 nautical miles and the distance has to be covered at variable speed in
defferent sections of the river. Inward ships must present themselves at pilot
ground at least 3 hours before the high water to enter on a particular day.
This of course, is subject to the availability of berth and having permissible
draft and length etc.
The ship movements generally commence about 5 to 5 hours
before the day's high water and the tides have been termed Day or Night taking
this factor into consideration.
During the spring tide/Freshet/Foul weather vessels under 7
knots will not be normally handled and such vessels will be classed grade 2 for
operation purpose. Agents of such vessel are required to consult the Deputy
conservator well in advance.
Masters are advised to manoeuvre with great care while
receiving and disembarking pilots.
Vessels due for entering in the next 24 hours must anchor in
Anchorage B. Keep R.T. Watch at least 3 hours before the pilot boarding time
and also display her signal letters.
Incoming vessels normally enter with the flood time. The
normal manoeuvre is to snub with the starboard anchor and proceed to
berth/mooring after heaving up and finally go alongside using the port anchor.
