Ctg Correspondent:

State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury has hoped that the Chattogram port would handle export and import-related operations of other countries someday with its capacity increasing day by day.

“Now, foreign port operators are making investments in the Chattogram port. I see the possibility and dream that a time will come when the Chattogram port will handle the operations [of exports and imports] of another country as well,” he said.

The state minister was speaking at an event, marking the signing of a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the AD Ports Group of the UAE and the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) at a hotel in Dhaka on Thursday.

CPA Chairman Rear Admiral Mohammad Sohail and AD Ports Group Chief Executive Officer (Ports Cluster) Saif Al Mazrouei inked the MoU on their respective sides.

According to the MoU, the Abu Dhabi-based ports and logistics giant will invest in the Bay Terminal Project, including the multipurpose terminal.

Khalid Mahmud said, “The Chattogram port has achieved the global-standard capacity in the last 15 years, while the Mongla port is being upgraded and it will achieve the same capacity as the Chittagong port. Besides, 200-metre-long ships are anchored at the under-construction jetty at the Payra port.

“Earlier, we had to depend on Colombo and Singapore ports for goods transportation through mother vessels. At present, a deep sea port is being built in Matarbari, which will reduce dependency. I hope that Matarbari port will become a regional hub.”

The state minister said the CPA has signed an agreement with Saudi Arabia’s company Red Sea Gateway Terminal to operate the Patenga Container Terminal and it will be operational soon.

“If the Bay Terminal is built, ships will be able to enter the Chattogram port and depart round the clock. There will be road and railway connectivity with the terminal, which will smooth goods transportation.”

He said, “Not only for AD Ports but also our windows are open for all. We will provide all kinds of facilities for investments in any port of the country. The Bay Terminal will open up a new horizon in Bangladesh’s sea transport sector.”

The government has taken the initiative to construct the Bay Terminal to increase the capacity of the Chattogram port. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina unveiled the master plan for the terminal in November last year.