The increasing pressure on the Chittagong Port – which handles bulk of Bangladesh’s imports and exports, especially apparel exports – is all set to ease after the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) recently approved to build a seaport at Matarbari of Cox’s Bazar by 2026.
Reported to be the first deep seaport of the country once completed and the fourth seaport after Chittagong, Mongla and Payra, the Matarbari Port will have two separate terminals of 300 metres and 460 metres length, where ships having 8,000 TEU containers could anchor owing to its 16-metre draft at the port channel.
Following the ECNEC meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina recently, the planning minister MA Mannan maintained “This is another ‘dream’ project for the country, which will further strengthen our journey towards the ocean in addition to boosting our trade and commerce.”
To be built at a total cost of Taka 26.71 billion, the Chittagong Port Authority, which along with the Highways Division will implement the Matarbari Port Development Project, will give Taka 22.13 billion for the project while the Government will bear the remaining Taka 26.71 billion.
