C T Online Desk: The Chittagong Port Authority will construct a new jetty to accommodate ships with 11 and 11.5 meter draft.
The announcement came on Tuesday at a views-exchange meeting with journalists where the authority’s Chairman, Rear Admiral Mohammad Sohail, said the new jetty will be constructed by 2024.
Rear Admiral Mohammad Sohail said: “Chittagong port is a valuable asset for the Bengali nation. A substantial 92% of the country’s total trade and 98% of containerized goods pass through this port. This port, with a history spanning 250 years, continues to set new records every year.”
“At present, container ships usually dock at the jetty within one to two days of reaching the outer anchorage, occasionally being granted on-arrival berthing. In the fiscal year 2022-23, Chittagong port handled an impressive 3,073,344 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) of containers. Additionally, the movement of general cargo amounted to 1,182,967,430 metric tons, while vessel handling reached 4, 253,” Rear Admiral Sohail further elaborated.
“Significant advancements have taken place over the past century, including the berthing of ships with a draft of 10 meters and a length of 200 meters, initiation of direct shipping routes with Europe, the Matarbari deep sea port development project, construction of the Patenga container terminal, expansion of the outer anchorage, implementation of VTMIS (Vessel Traffic Management and Information System), digitization efforts, and the incorporation of state-of-the-art side gantry cranes for container handling,” he added.
“A substantial amount of waste from Chittagong city ends up in the Karnaphuli River, contributing to the decrease in river depth. Efforts to remove waste have been successful, and it is expected that within the next year, ships with a draft of 11 or 11.5 meters will be able to sail. Achieving this goal requires a cessation of waste disposal in the river,” Rear Admiral Sohail said.
He emphasized the port’s nonstop activity, saying: “Chittagong port operates around the clock, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It has gained international recognition, attracting interest from various countries for significant investments. It is expected that investments totaling 5 to 7 billion dollars will be made over the next three years. Foreign companies will introduce new technologies in tandem with these investments, and several countries have expressed interest in collaborating with the Chittagong port.”
He also mentioned the port’s global ranking, saying: “Out of the world’s 100 ports, Chittagong port currently ranks 64th in the world.”
Regarding ongoing projects, Rear Admiral Sohail provided updates: “Construction of the Patenga Container Terminal has been completed, and ships are already being dispatched there. The Bay Terminal’s master plan is set to be finalized by September 20 next month. Groundwork for the Bay Terminal is projected to commence in October, with the government providing full support.”
“The launch of the new chemical shed at the port is anticipated in December. The Patenga Container Terminal is currently undergoing trials, while design work for the Bay Terminal and breakwater is in progress. The construction of the first jetty for the Matarbari deep sea port will soon begin. This jetty will accommodate 10-12 thousand containers, offering consumer benefits if large vessels are utilized for transporting goods.”
Commenting on government initiatives, he remarked, “Chittagong Port Authority is constructing new terminals to enhance short and medium-term cargo and container handling capabilities, addressing the future demand for swift clearance of imports and expedited shipping of exports.”
Construction of the Patenga Container Terminal, featuring a 584-meter-long jetty, has been successfully concluded. The Chittagong Port Authority is actively advancing the Heavy Lift Jetty, Bay Terminal, and ‘Matarbari Port Development’ projects in Maheshkhali Upazila of Cox’s Bazar district. These projects aim to maintain uninterrupted handling of containers, cargo, and ships both presently and in the future. Once these projects are completed, the capacity of Chittagong port is expected to experience a significant expansion, port chairman added.
During the meeting, Port Secretary Omar Faruq, Member Shahidul Alam, and Director Mominur Rashid were also present.
