The Chattogram port might soon be able to accommodate bigger vessels of up to 200 meters in length and having a draught of up to 10 meters. Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) said work is ongoing to enhance the capacity of the country’s premier seaport to handle more cargo and containers. Currently, ships with a maximum draught of 9.5 meters, the vertical distance between the waterline and the bottom of the ship’s hull, and of up to 190 meters in length can berth at some of the port’s main jetties.
A UK firm has been conducting a survey for a “Detail Hydrological and Hydraulic Study in River Karnaphuli” stretching from the port’s outer anchorage to the Kaptai Dam on the Karnaphuli river. The firm is expected to submit a final report by June and after receiving its report the authority will make a decision regarding allowing bigger vessels. Around 90 per cent of the construction work for Patenga Container Terminal (PCT) has been completed. The terminal, having an annual handling capacity of 4.50 lakh twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU), would start running by June. The terminal will also have a 220-meter dolphin jetty to accommodate an oil tanker.
The cabinet committee on purchase recently approved the appointment of a South Korean joint venture company as an international consultant for the Bay Terminal project. The company would be able to submit a development project proposal in three to four months. Land acquisition for a Matarbari port development project at Moheshkhali has been completed and the port is now under construction.
Once the Bay Terminal and Matarbari port come into existence, the capacity of the Chattogram port will be enhanced fourfold. The planned activities would boost the port capacity, but only infrastructure development would not stream ports. We must wipe out corruption and reduce system loss to make the port apt. Capable manpower, professional handling, and smooth governance are a must for increasing business people’s confidence and reputation of the seaport.
