Inland Container Depot (ICD) – Dhaka
About Inland Container Depot (ICD) – Dhaka
ICD Kamalapur is Dhaka’s only rail-connected inland container depot, run jointly by Bangladesh Railway and the Chittagong Port Authority. It has an installed capacity of 90,000 TEUs per year and handled 85,000 TEUs in FY25.
ICD Kamalapur, located in the heart of Dhaka, remains a cornerstone of the nation’s logistics infrastructure. It is the only rail-connected dry port in Dhaka, situated within the Kamalapur Railway Station complex in Motijheel, and occupies approximately 32 acres of prime land. As of 2026, it is undergoing a transition due to major urban redevelopment projects in the Kamalapur station area, yet it continues to serve as the country’s primary rail-linked gateway for export-import trade. The facility was established to alleviate congestion at Chittagong Port by enabling customs clearance in the capital.
The ICD operates as a joint venture owned by Bangladesh Railway (BR) and the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA). BR manages rail transport and land, while CPA oversees container terminal operations through private contractors. Kamalapur functions as a central “Dry Port,” serving thousands of C&F (Clearing & Forwarding) agents and hundreds of RMG factories in the Dhaka-Savar-Gazipur belt. The upcoming Dhirasram ICD in Gazipur is expected to decongest Kamalapur ICD.
The major commodities moving are RMG, home textiles, leather and footwear, jute goods, and pharmaceuticals.
Equipment
- 2–4 units of Straddle Carriers for yard movement
- 4 Reach Stackers for high-tier stacking
- The 100-ton weighbridge at the gate is digitally linked to the terminal’s manifest system, ensuring the SOLAS weight certificate is instantly uploaded for export containers
- The on-site container scanners use AI-assisted imaging software to detect anomalies in cargo density and identify misdeclared goods or contraband without opening every box
Facilities & infrastructure
- A full-service customs house with an online payment system
- Reefer points
- The terminal is fully integrated into the National Board of Revenue (NBR) digital ecosystem, allowing C&F agents to pay duties and port charges via the “Automated Challan” system
- A plant quarantine station inspects imported raw materials (such as cotton or wheat) and export-bound perishables, enabling the issuance of phytosanitary certificates
- A shed of 10,000+ sq. m dedicated to consolidating LCL cargo
- As of 2026, more than 90% of Customs declarations (Bill of Entry/Export) are processed digitally
Why shippers choose Inland Container Depot (ICD) – Dhaka
- Located directly within the Kamalapur Railway complex, it is the only bonded facility that allows international cargo to bypass Dhaka’s notorious gridlock
- Transporting a container via the Chattogram–Kamalapur Rail Corridor remains 10% to 40% cheaper than road transport
- Kamalapur allows major shipping lines (Maersk, MSC, etc.) to issue a Through Bill of Lading showing “Place of Delivery” as BDKAM (Dhaka)
Shipping lines & services
Hinterland connectivity
Rail & road
Daily container trains (shuttles) run between Chattogram Port and Kamalapur. In 2025-26, there has been a push to increase the number of trains per day from 2 to 4 to handle higher RMG (Ready-Made Garment) export volumes. Direct tracks allow trains to pull alongside the terminal for immediate loading. BR operates 2–3 dedicated container trains daily in each direction, carrying 60-80 TEUs.
CFS & warehousing
A large warehouse for LCL consolidation has a total storage area of approximately 10,000 square metres and a static capacity of 4,000 TEUs. Due to space constraints, LCL operations are limited. Currently, many LCL shipments are diverted to the Pangaon Inland Container Terminal.
Frequently asked questions
Who operates ICD Kamalapur?
It is a joint venture of Bangladesh Railway (rail and land) and the Chittagong Port Authority (terminal operations through private contractors).
What is the capacity of ICD Kamalapur?
Installed capacity is 90,000 TEUs per year. Throughput in FY25 was 85,000 TEUs, or 95% utilisation.
What is the port code for ICD Kamalapur?
The UN/LOCODE-style port code is BDKAM.
Where is ICD Kamalapur located?
It is inside the Kamalapur Railway Station complex in Motijheel, Dhaka, on about 32 acres.
How is ICD Kamalapur connected by rail?
Bangladesh Railway runs 2–3 dedicated container trains daily in each direction between Chattogram Port and Kamalapur, each carrying 60-80 TEUs.
Which CFS facilities serve ICD Kamalapur?
An on-site LCL warehouse of about 10,000 square metres; many LCL shipments are now diverted to Pangaon Inland Container Terminal.
In the news
Classification
Source: South Asia Container Market Report 2026, p. 65. Last updated Jan 2026.
