Matarbari deep-sea port: Project work in full swing

CHATTOGRAM: Work on the long-awaited dream deep-sea port project at Matarbari in Cox's Bazar is going on in full swing.

To this effect, the government has already appointed a project director (PD) and the process of land acquisition for the scheme is well under way.

Sources said the project is being executed under the Chattogram Port Authority (CPA). CPA member Mohammed Jafar Alam is the PD of the project.

"The process of setting up the deep-sea port is progressing. We're nearing completion of channel construction in the sea area…," Mr Alam told the FE.

The government has approved the DPP and finalised the appointment of a Japanese firm as consultant that will make a detailed design and adopt environmental safety measures for the project.

"We've started land acquisition for jetty and other establishments. We're continuing channel dredging now. Around 10 months are needed to finish tasks like design plan and paperwork," Mr Alam mentioned.

CPA secretary Omar Faruk said, "Matarbari deep-sea port will be implemented as part of Chattogram seaport. It will help the country handle the rising volume of exports and imports."

The country's fourth seaport would ease pressure on Chattogram port, he added.

"The process of acquiring 288.235 acres of land for CPA to build the seaport is already done. Roads and Highway Department is also acquiring 205 hectares for it."

Sources said the cabinet committee on July 22 approved the appointment of Nippon Koei Company as consultant for the port meant for handling growing external trade.

Earlier on March 10 this year, the ECNEC approved construction of the seaport at Matarbari in Cox's Bazaar to accommodate deep-draft vessels.

The Japanese firm has been providing consulting services here with its subsidiary Nippon Koei Bangladesh in major projects since 2018.

The company also conducted a preparatory survey on the deep-sea port project earlier.

Sources said the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will invest Tk 120 billion (12,000 crore) out of the total cost of Tk 177.77 billion (17,777 crore).

The rest will be borne by the Bangladesh government and the CPA.

The forecast for 2041 in a JICA survey showed the container cargo demand for Chattogram port would increase to 6.9 million TEUs.

As future capacity of the country's premier port is assessed at an estimated 5.0 million TEUs, the excess volume would be handled at the Matarbari deep-sea port.

Two jetties -- one is the multipurpose berth measuring 300 metres long and another is a container berth which will be 460 metres long -- will be built at the port under the project.

These jetties will be able to handle 8,000 container ships at the depth of 16 metres.

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