Matarbari deep seaport to begin operations in 2029: Minister Rabiul
He disclosed the information in a written reply to a question from Chapainawabganj-3 MP Md Nurul Islam during the question-and-answer session in parliament.
Highlights:
- Large vessels to berth directly at Matarbari
- Matarbari to cut reliance on foreign transhipment ports
- New seaport to reduce import-export time and costs
- Matarbari to handle vessels of up to 8,200 TEUs
Matarbari deep seaport in Cox's Bazar is scheduled to begin operations by 2029, allowing large vessels to berth directly in Bangladesh for the first time and significantly reducing the country's reliance on foreign transhipment ports, Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam told parliament today (13 July).
He disclosed the information in a written reply to a question from Chapainawabganj-3 MP Md Nurul Islam during the question-and-answer session in parliament.
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Rabiul said the deep seaport will be capable of accommodating container vessels with a capacity of around 8,200 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) and cargo ships of up to 1 lakh deadweight tonnes (DWT).
The facility is expected to reduce dependence on transhipment hubs such as Singapore, Colombo and Port Klang, cutting both shipping time and import-export costs while enhancing Bangladesh's trade competitiveness.
The minister said Bangladesh's existing seaports lack the required draft to handle large mother vessels. As a result, most import and export cargo must first be unloaded at regional transhipment ports before being transported to Bangladesh by feeder vessels, increasing logistics costs, delivery time and pressure on the supply chain.
He said the Matarbari project includes the construction of a 16-metre-deep navigation channel and a modern container terminal.
Once operational, the port will be able to handle vessels with nearly four times the carrying capacity of those currently calling at Chattogram Port, making cargo handling faster, more efficient, and cost-effective, he said.
According to the minister, Matarbari will not only strengthen Bangladesh's foreign trade but also emerge as a key regional maritime hub, facilitating international trade and transit for neighbouring countries and promoting regional economic cooperation.
He also outlined several initiatives to boost Chattogram Port's capacity, including plans to introduce direct shipping services with destinations in Europe, the United States, and the Middle East, digitalise 80% of container unloading and delivery operations, operate the Patenga Container Terminal with the port's own financing, and develop the Bay Terminal.
He said the Karnaphuli Channel currently has a depth of 8.5 to 10 metres, allowing vessels with an average capacity of around 3,000 TEUs to berth at Chattogram Port.
Once the Bay Terminal and Matarbari Deep Seaport become operational, ships with a 12- to 14-metre draft will be able to berth directly, reducing vessel waiting times.
The minister added that the government has also taken steps to improve port efficiency by strengthening container delivery through private inland container depots (ICDs), auctioning more than 10,000 TEUs of uncleared containers through customs and introducing a pre-arrival processing system to facilitate customs clearance before ships arrive at port.
He said these measures are expected to improve port productivity and ensure faster and more cost-effective cargo clearance.
