Dhaka: Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam has announced that the government is implementing comprehensive measures to ensure Payra Port becomes fully operational by the end of this year, with core activities anticipated to be completed by December.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the minister, responding to a scripted question in the House from ruling party lawmaker ABM Mosharraf Hossain (Patuakhali-4), discussed the history and progress of the port. He mentioned that a techno-economic feasibility study was carried out in 2015 by UK-based consultant HR Wallingford, marking the first initiative to build a seaport in Bangladesh after independence. Land acquisition and the rehabilitation of affected individuals started in 2016, followed by two major long-term projects initiated in 2019: the construction of the port’s first terminal and the enhancement of road and bridge connectivity.
The minister elaborated that these projects are slated for completion in July and December this year, respectively. Additionally, he highlighted the nearing completion of a 1,180-metre four-lane bridge over the Andharmanik River and a 6.35-kilometre six-lane terminal access road linking the port to the Dhaka-Kuakata highway, expected to be finished by December 2026.
He pointed out the current challenges faced by the Rabnabad Channel, the main navigational route to the port, which lacks sufficient depth for commercial vessels due to high sedimentation. Continuous dredging will be necessary to maintain the channel’s navigability, and the government is considering a two-year project for dredging and acquiring two trailing suction hopper dredgers (TSHDs).
The minister underscored the importance of Payra Port, noting that 96 percent of the country’s maritime trade is presently managed by Chattogram Port. Payra Port’s development is vital to accommodate the increasing volume of foreign trade and provide a strategic alternative in case of emergencies. Furthermore, two coal-based power plants with a combined capacity of 2,640 megawatts have been established in the Payra area, necessitating the port’s operational readiness for coal handling.
Rabiul also highlighted the port’s potential to accelerate industrialization, generate employment, and foster socio-economic development in Bangladesh’s south-central region. Under infrastructure development, 5,900.99 acres of land have been acquired, with rehabilitation work nearing completion. A master plan, developed jointly by Royal HaskoningDHV of the Netherlands and BUET, is in place, and significant progress has been made in procuring support vessels and constructing warehouse facilities.
In terms of operational readiness, the minister described completed components such as a 650-metre jetty, a 3.25 lakh square metre backup yard for berthing vessels, a 100-metre service jetty, and various cargo-handling facilities. Customs and shipping facilities are established, and a smart access management system is in place, complying with the ISPS Code. Additionally, a gazette to impose a levy on vessels to cover dredging costs is nearing finalization.
The minister concluded by mentioning several pending projects, including maintenance dredging of the Rabnabad Channel, procurement of two hopper dredgers, and the development of housing and utility facilities for port personnel. Following the dredging project’s completion, the port is anticipated to handle vessels up to 220 metres in length and 45,000 metric tonnes capacity by 2027-28.