The government of Bangladesh is constructing a deep-sea port in the Maheshkhali area of Cox’s Bazar on Matarbari Island. The project aims to establish maritime facilities in the area and present new opportunities for the nation’s maritime industry. This development is significant because deep-sea ports allow for the transportation of large amounts of cargo simultaneously by accommodating massive ships. Moreover, this will reduce transportation time and costs, making it an attractive option for global shipping.
All about Matarbari sea-port
The Matarbari Port development project, which began on November 16, 2020, is a crucial part of Bangladesh’s efforts to expand its maritime industry and improve its connectivity with other countries. The project is expected to be completed by December 2026, and it involves the construction of a 14.3-km waterway, a 300-meter multipurpose jetty, and a 460-meter container jetty. Additionally, the channel’s depth will be 16 meters, and the width will be 350 meters. All these facilities together will enable the Matarbari Port to accommodate large ships carrying up to 8000 containers, which current seaports in Chittagong and Mongla are unable to handle due to their shallow draft.
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To ensure the smooth and efficient flow of goods, the Matarbari Port will be connected to the road, rail, and river networks, which will enable the quick and affordable import and export of goods. The port will serve as a gateway for importing steel, scrap iron, cement, clinker, liquid natural gas (LNG), crude oil, and similar products. To facilitate the construction of the port, according to some reports, the Chittagong Port Authority has been given 283.27 acres of land by the Cox’s Bazar district administration.
The cost of the Matarbari Port development project is estimated to be 17,777 crore takas, with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Ministry of Shipping providing significant financial assistance. JICA is lending 12 thousand 892 crores out of the total, while the Bangladeshi government is contributing 2 thousand 671 crores, and the Chittagong Port Authority is contributing 2 thousand 213 crores from its funds.
Container handling is on surge
The demand for shipping via seaways has been on the rise globally, and Bangladesh is no exception. The Chittagong Port, the country’s main seaport, has seen a significant increase in container handling volume in recent years due to the surge in seaborne imports and exports. In the year 2021-2022, Chittagong port handled over 32.55 lakh TEUs of containers.
Experts predict that if the current rate of container handling growth continues, the nation’s yearly container handling volume will reach 140 lakh TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) by 2041. This volume of containers and ships will be too much for the nation’s present seaports to handle, necessitating the construction of the Matarbari Deep Sea Port.
The Matarbari Deep Sea Port is anticipated to handle 11 lakh TEU containers upon the project’s realisation by 2026 and 42 lakh TEUs by 2041. This port will relieve some of the burden on Chittagong Port, increasing the latter’s capacity to handle a large number of ships and cargo.
More benefits are on the way with Matarbari sea-port
The establishment of this new deep-sea port will bring significant economic benefits to Bangladesh. It will create new job opportunities, stimulate economic growth, and attract more investment to the region. Additionally, it will enhance the country’s connectivity with other parts of the world, making it more accessible to the global market.
According to reports, the government of Bangladesh is pushing its efforts to maximise the economic potential of Matarbari by launching 36 additional projects alongside the construction of the deep-sea port. These projects include the establishment of coal-fired power stations, special economic zones, coal jetties, LNG terminals, fuel transportation pipelines, petroleum complexes, and more. All these initiatives aim to enhance the economic benefits of Matarbari by providing various development opportunities in the area. The government has also established a council to oversee all development initiatives in Matarbari, which involves several development partners.
In addition to the deep-sea port, 36 other development projects, including power plants and special economic zones, are being carried out at Matarbari by various government agencies. In addition, the Chittagong Port Authority is buying three tugboats, two key-gantry cranes, a multifunctional gantry crane, six rubber-tired gantry cranes, and a 397-meter enlargement of the North Breakwater dam.
Why Matarbari, we have already two ports?
The seaports in Chittagong and Mongla are not deep-sea ports, which limits their ability to handle deep draft ships. In contrast, the Matarbari Port Development project is designed to cater to deep draft boats, and it has been included in the government’s fast-track programs. The deep-sea port at Matarbari will offer a minimum of 16 meters of a draft, making it possible for ships carrying 8000 containers to dock.
The construction of the deep-sea port at Matarbari is a significant development for Bangladesh as it will enhance the country’s connectivity with the global market. The ability to handle massive amounts of cargo and accommodate large ships will bring significant economic benefits to the country, and will help to relieve the burden on other seaports, increasing their capacity to handle a large number of ships and cargo.
The terrain of Matarbari is quite similar to that of the Kashima Seaport in Japan, and the JICA survey report suggests that the Matarbari Port can be connected to the sea by building a channel, just like the Kashima Seaport. However, the Matarbari Port will be 2.5 times larger than the Kashima Seaport, making it a game-changer for Bangladesh’s entire economy.
Foreign investment is expected to pour into Matarbari in the future, and the nation’s trade and business will pick up speed. The extensive construction projects at Matarbari will significantly alter the nation’s economic landscape, making it one of the key trade and business hubs in the South Asian region. This development project is a significant step toward Bangladesh’s progress in becoming a developed and prosperous nation.
