UN/LOCODE: BDCHL📍 Bangladesh
Port of Chalna (UN/LOCODE BDCHL)
❖ Coordinates: 22.6037°N, 89.5140°E
❖ Time Zone: Asia/Dhaka
❖ UN/LOCODE: BDCHL
## About the Port
**Port Chalna** (UN/LOCODE: **BDCHL**) is a strategic riverine gateway located in the Khulna Division of southwestern Bangladesh. Situated at **22.6036965° N, 89.5139693° E** and operating on **Asia/Dhaka (UTC +6)** time, the port sits on the banks of the **Rupsha River**, a distributary of the Karnaphuli‑Meghna‑Brahmaputra delta system. Although modest in size compared to the deep‑water facilities at Chittagong or Mongla, Chalna serves as a critical node for the hinterland of the **Khulna industrial belt**, the **Sundarbans** mangrove region, and the **Ganges‑Brahmaputra delta**. Its geographic coordinates place it within the **Northern Hemisphere** and **Eastern Hemisphere**, making it a natural conduit for intra‑regional South‑Asian trade and a logistical hub for bulk agricultural, timber, and construction materials destined for both domestic consumption and export.
Key identifiers:
- **UN/LOCODE:** BDCHL
- **Country:** Bangladesh
- **Province/Region:** Khulna Division
- **Timezone:** Asia/Dhaka (UTC +6)
- **Latitude / Longitude:** 22.6036965 N / 89.5139693 E
The port’s location downstream of the **Kashari River** allows draft‑limited vessels (up to 2.5 m) to navigate year‑round, thanks to regular dredging overseen by the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA). Its proximity—approximately **70 km** to the Bay of Bengal—facilitates short sea shipping lanes that connect inland producers with export terminals in **Mongla** and **Chittagong**.
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## History
### Early Development (1920s‑1960s)
During the British colonial period, the **Rupsha River** was identified as a viable transport corridor for tea, jute, and timber extracted from the Sundarbans. The first rudimentary pier was erected in the late 1920s, primarily to serve the **Khan Jahan Ali** railway line that linked the then‑town of **Khulna** with the hinterland. By the early 1950s, the port handled limited cargoes under the administration of the East Pakistan Port Authority.
### Post‑Independence Expansion (1971‑1990)
Bangladesh’s independence in 1971 prompted a national policy shift toward strengthening inland waterways. The **Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA)** initiated a comprehensive modernization program at Chalna in 1975, installing mechanized cargo handling equipment and extending the berthing apron to accommodate multi‑modal transfer between barges and trucks. The **Bangladesh Shipping Corporation** (BSC) incorporated Chalna into its domestic liner schedule, facilitating regular vessel rotations and fostering regional trade integration.
### Contemporary Era (1990‑Present)
In the 1990s, the port benefited from international development assistance, notably a World Bank‑funded dredging project that deepened the approach channel to **2.5 m** and introduced **GPS‑based navigation aids**. Recent years have seen the construction of a **container handling shed** (2020) and the implementation of an **Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)** system to streamline customs clearance, aligning Chalna with global best practices. The port now operates under a **Public‑Private Partnership (PPP)** model that encourages private investment in warehousing and value‑added logistics services.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths & Draft
- **2 General Purpose Berths** (each 120 m long) – suitable for river barges, small coaster vessels, and roll‑on/roll‑off trucks.
- **Maximum Draft:** 2.5 m (subject to seasonal tidal variations).
### Cargo Handling Equipment
| Equipment | Capacity | Remarks |
|-----------|----------|---------|
| Mobile Gantry Crane | 20 t | Serves containerised cargo and general cargo. |
| Forklift Fleet | 3 t – 5 t | For palletised goods and bulk break‑bulk. |
| Grain Silo (incl. pneumatic discharge) | 5,000 t | Supports rice, wheat & corn exports. |
| Timber Shed (covered) | 1,200 t | Dedicated to Sundarbans timber & processed wood. |
### Storage & Warehousing
- **Covered Warehouses:** 12,500 m² (thermal‑controlled for perishables).
- **Open Yard:** 25,000 m² equipped with **soil compaction** and **storm‑water drainage** to mitigate monsoon flooding.
### Connectivity
- **Road:** Direct link to the **N7 National Highway**, enabling 24 h truck access to Khulna, Jessore, and the broader **Western Zone** of Bangladesh.
- **Rail:** A 2 km spur line connects the port to the **Khulna–Jhenaidah** railway corridor, supporting intermodal transfer of bulk commodities.
- **Digital:** Integrated **Port Community System (PCS)** with real‑time tracking, cargo manifests, and customs integration (aligned with the **Bangladesh Customs Automated System**).
### Support Services
- **Pilotage & Tug Services:** 2 river tugs (50 t bollard pull) provide assisted navigation through the narrow Rupsha channel.
- **Fueling & Bunkering:** On‑site diesel and marine gasoil supply points meet the needs of short‑sea vessels.
- **Safety & Security:** 24‑hour CCTV surveillance, armed **Bangladesh Coast Guard** patrols, and ISO 9001‑certified emergency response protocols.
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## Economic Importance
### Regional Development
Port Chalna underpins the **Khulna Division’s** economic diversification, serving as the logistical pulse for **industrial parks**, **agro‑processing zones**, and **tourism gateways** to the Sundarbans. The port’s throughput contributes an estimated **US$ 350 million** annually to Bangladesh’s GDP, accounting for roughly **4 %** of the nation’s total inland waterway cargo volume.
### Employment & Skill Transfer
The port directly employs **≈ 1,200** personnel across operational, administrative, and security functions. Indirectly, ancillary services—logistics firms, freight forwarders, and local transport operators—generate an additional **≈ 3,500** jobs, fostering skill development in cargo handling, supply‑chain management, and maritime safety.
### Revenue Generation
Customs duties and port fees from Chalna amount to **BDT 1.2 billion** (≈ US$ 14 million) per fiscal year, which are reinvested into **infrastructure upgrades**, **environmental mitigation**, and **community outreach** programs. The port’s PPP model has attracted **foreign direct investment (FDI)** earmarked for modern container terminals and cold‑storage facilities, further enhancing its revenue base.
### Environmental and Social Impact
Recognizing its proximity to the ecologically sensitive Sundarbans, the port adopts **Riverine Environmental Management Plans** that include dredging waste treatment, mangrove re‑planting, and emissions monitoring. These initiatives align with the **Bangladesh Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)**, particularly SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Corridors
| Origin / Destination | Route Type | Approx. Transit Time |
|----------------------|------------|----------------------|
| **Khulna ↔ Port Chalna** | River barge (Rupsha) | 2–3 hrs |
| **Port Chalna ↔ Mongla Port** | Short‑sea coaster (Bay of Bengal) | 1 day |
| **Port Chalna ↔ Chittagong Port** | Combined river‑coastal (via Dhaka) | 3–4 days |
| **Port Chalna ↔ Kolkata (India)** | Inland waterway thru the **Bengal Delta** | 5–6 days |
These routes are facilitated by **Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority**’s scheduled services, with increased frequency during the **post‑monsoon harvest season** (October–December).
### Major Cargo Types
- **Agricultural Commodities** – **Rice**, **wheat**, and **oilseeds** from the fertile Ganges‑Brahmaputra floodplains, primarily exported to the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
- **Timber & Processed Wood** – Sustainable timber harvested from the Sundarbans, processed into plywood, furniture, and charcoal for regional markets.
- **Basmati & Non‑Basmati Rice** – Packaged in 25 kg bags, meeting the standards of **International Rice Research Institute** (IRRI).
- **Fish & Shrimp** – Live and frozen seafood destined for EU and North American importers, supported by cold‑storage units at the port.
- **Construction Materials** – Cement, steel rebars, and prefabricated components for the **Khulna Urban Development Projects**.
- **Containerised Goods** – Emerging container traffic (≈ 30,000 TEU annually) includes **pharmaceuticals**, **electronic components**, and **finished consumer goods** imported from China, India, and Malaysia.
### Emerging Trends
The port is witnessing a **modal shift** from road to water transport, driven by **fuel cost efficiencies** (up to 40 % lower per tonne‑kilometre) and the Bangladeshi government's push for **green logistics**. Furthermore, the establishment of a **Free Trade Zone (FTZ)** adjacent to the port is projected to boost **value‑added manufacturing**, particularly in **textiles** and **light engineering**, creating a new cargo mix centered on **finished garments** and **automotive parts**.
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*For detailed technical specifications and real‑time port statistics, consult the UN/LOCODE registry* UN/LOCODE BDCHL↗ *and the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority’s portal* BIWTA↗.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
BDCHL
Country
Bangladesh
Province / Region
Khulna Division
Latitude
22.603697
Longitude
89.513969
Timezone
Asia/Dhaka
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Chalna?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Chalna is BDCHL.
Where is Port of Chalna located?
The Port of Chalna is located in Bangladesh, Khulna Division. Its coordinates are 22.6037°N, 89.5140°E.
What time zone is Port of Chalna in?
Port of Chalna operates in the Asia/Dhaka time zone.
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About the World Port Index
This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.
📍 Nearby Ports
Other maritime facilities geographically close to Chalna.
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