In an effort to boost cross-border trade efficiency and increase the ready-made garment (RMG) industry’s export potential, Benapole Land Port in Jashore welcomed the opening of its new cargo vehicle terminal. Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hussain, the Shipping Adviser, officiated the official opening.
Adviser Sakhawat highlighted Benapole’s strategic significance as a major cross-border commerce hub during his remarks at the inauguration. He mentioned that the port presently handles 500–600 Indian and 450–500 Bangladeshi cargo trucks every day. It is anticipated that the new terminal, which spans 41 acres and can hold up to 1,500 vehicles, will greatly lessen traffic that was previously caused by space constraints. A key component of Bangladesh’s economy, the RMG industry, depends on seamless import-export procedures, which this improvement is expected to facilitate by streamlining cargo operations.
The project ensures that goods may get to and from the port more quickly by addressing the traffic jams that frequently afflicted the area. The terminal has a number of cutting-edge features, such as service buildings, parking lots, a cutting-edge firefighting system, and CCTV and other security measures. Additionally, it has a 100 MT Weybridge scale to guarantee precise weight readings and a productive drainage system.
The project, which was started in 2022 with a Taka 329.28 crore investment, intends to modernise Benapole Port while simultaneously increasing overall revenue through increased operating efficiency. The maritime advisor pointed out that the RMG sector would especially gain from these improvements, allowing for quicker export delivery times, which are essential for satisfying global demand and preserving competitiveness in global markets.
Sakhawat held a meeting with port authorities after the inauguration ceremony to talk about further upgrades, including the building of new warehouses, improved passenger services, updated security procedures and steps to fight corruption at the port. Dignitaries such as Bangladesh Land Port Authority Chairman Mohammad Manzarul Mannan and Shipping Ministry Additional Secretary Delwara Begum also attended the occasion.
