State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury MP said that after 135 years, Chattogram Port has achieved the capacity to handle large ships. Chattogram port is the heart of the country's economy. It's not a slogan; the reality Bangladesh stops when Chittagong port stops. In the last 14 years, Chattogram port has not been closed for a single day. Bangladesh is now a role model for development because it is not closed.
He said that if 200 meter long ships arrive at Chattogram port, the amount of containers will increase and the cost of transporting goods will be reduced. At the consumer level, the common man will benefit from the reduction in the price of the product. Chattogram port is expected to receive 6,650 ships in 2022. Patenga Container Terminal (PCT) 97% completed; It will be launched at the earliest. Although the Bay-Terminal is scheduled to open in 2024, the Corona pandemic and the global disaster Ukraine-Russia war situation are facing multiple problems. We are not sitting under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. We have the ability. We are moving forward. A large part of the Bay-Terminal is a multi-purpose terminal that will serve Chattogram Port as detailed plans are being prepared. By the end of 2025 or the beginning of 2026, the large part of the Bay Terminal will be able to be commissioned as the multipurpose terminal that Chattogram port will serve. Matarbari deep sea Port will be operational by mid or late 2026. Chattogram Port has a role to play with the construction of Padma Bridge, Rooppur Nuclear Power Station, Metro Rail. Bangladesh ranks 35th in terms of economic development. Chattogram Port has the most credit for development at 35th place in 14 years. The capacity of Chattogram port has increased a lot in the last 14 years.
Shipping minister said these things in his speech as the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of the berthing of the first 200 meter long and 10 meter draft ship at the jetty of Chattogram Port Authority in CCT-1 area of Chattogram Port on Monday.
Chattogram Port Chairman Rear Admiral M Shahjahan presided over the ceremony. Robert Chatterton Dickson, British High Commissioner appointed to Bangladesh; Secretary of Shipping Ministry Mustafa Kamal, Chattogram Chamber President Mahbubul Alam, Bangladesh Shipping Agents Association Chairman Syed Arif, Karnaphuli River Study Consultant and Representative of HR Wallingford HR Wallingford's Dr Manjurul Quader, Shipping Agents Association Chairman Syed Mohammad Arif Hossain, BGMEA First Vice President Syed Nazrul Islam, Bangladesh Freight Forwarders Association Vice President and Bangladesh Shipping Agents Association Director Khairul Alam Sujan.
Khalid Mahmud said, many people said that Bangladesh will become like Sri Lanka. But it didn't happen. Why not - it is difficult in the minds of many. Earlier Bangladesh had to go to foreigners to prepare the budget. Now donors are following us. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh is now a role model for development. We are no longer a bottomless basket; That has been proven false. We will move between 25-30 in economic indicators in 2030. Under the leadership of national treasure Sheikh Hasina, we have built Bangabandhu's Sonar Bangla with the soil and people of this country. Bangladesh is not only for Bangladesh; Regional countries are emerging. Foreign investment awaits. Investors from all over the world will come to Bangladesh. This requires stability. The country is moving forward because there is stability in the last 14 years. Many want to destroy stability. That is not possible. The development that Sheikh Hasina has made; The respect given to the people of the country; The people of the country are not thinking of anything other than Sheikh Hasina. Sheikh Hasina will form the government with more support in the next election. No foreign pressure will back down. Will move forward with the people of the country.
Shipping Minister had earlier inaugurated the newly constructed 'Chattogram Port Central Warehouse' at Bhandar Bhavan area of Chattogram Port. The total project area of the warehouse built on 71 khata land is 61 thousand square feet.
Guest of Honor British High Commissioner Robert Chatterton Dickson said that this is a historic day for Chattogram Port and Bangladesh. 200 meter long big ships have arrived at Chattogram port. As a result, there will be more speed in the import and export of Bangladesh.
Mostafa Kamal, Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping, said that 54 people died during the corona but Chattogram port was not closed. They gave their lives for the country. Last year of Govt. Then various demands and provocations started. Supply chain is for everyone. Going to the Bay Terminal. We have not stopped working even for a day. Bangladesh of 2041 will be smart. The port will also be smart. We need a smart team for this. If Matarbari, Bay-terminal and Chattogram port are operated together, the national income will increase.
Chattogram Port Chairman Rear Admiral M Shahjahan said this is a historic moment for the port. 200 meter long and 10 meter draft ship 'Common Atlas' is crowded. This initiative has been taken to increase the capacity of the port.
Bangabandhu made the port mine-free and operational. The privileged daughter of the father of the nation, the prime minister has won the sea border. Bay Terminal Nation needs. Preparation of DPP is in progress. We have been able to maintain the growth even in Corona. Maintained a position in the three million container club. We strive to provide the highest level of service to the port users and the country. Bangladeshi ship owners are bringing big ships. Thank you for this. Chattogram port was not closed even for a moment even in Corona. Our workers deserve all the credit. I have not heard from them in Corona.
Dr. Manjurul Quader, Representative of HR Wallingford, a hydraulic company based in the UK, said that this study of Chattogram port was challenging. It was made more difficult due to Corona. This is the reality that big ships are crowded today.
President of Bangladesh Shipping Agents Association Syed Md Arif said that if this facility is given to the cargo lightering ships at outer anchorage, they will be able to bring 40-45 thousand tons of goods. If the Gupta Canal is dug, larger ships will be able to enter. We will no longer need the agreement we have to make on the Tk 300 stamp. The facility of berthing small feeder vessels alongside larger vessels should be continued. Container ships as well as bulk ships should also be facilitated.
Chattogram Chamber President Mahbubul Alam said, Chattogram Port had spent many difficult times in the nineties and before. The port has not been closed even for a day in the last 14 years. This port was not closed even for an hour during Corona. The NCT did not work for four years after its creation. Chattogram Port is expected to enter the four million container club. PCT is ready, more improvements will be made as soon as it is launched.
Karnaphuli River is the life of the port. Karnaphuli dredging should be kept open to keep this port operational. There will be lawsuits and attacks, dredging cannot be stopped. I would like to hear from the Minister of State for Marine when the work of the Bay Terminal will start. Bangladesh will not have to think about ports for 50 years if there is a bay-terminal. Large ships are being allowed to enter by dredging through the mouth of Karnaphuli river. These ships will be able to transport more than 4 thousand containers.
Secretary of Chattogram Port Authority, Mohammad Omar Faruq, said that each ship has to calculate 10-15 thousand dollars for daily operating expenses. Our step will reduce it. If the number of ships decreases, it will also be easier for us to operate the ships.
Its known that in 1975, only 7.5 meters deep and 160 meters long ships could enter this port. 8 m deep, 170 m long in 1980 by subsequent dredging; 8.5 m deep, 180 m long in 1990; 9 m deep and 185 m long in 1995 and 9.5 m deep and 190 m long in 2014.
200 meter long and 10 meter deep vessel access is provided by the latest capital dredging. 200 meter long ships have more than twice the container carrying capacity of normal shapes. As a result, if the import or export is done with a large ship, the cost will also be reduced, and the ship will be able to enter the main jetty of the port without staying at the outer anchorage. It will also control the average stay time.
More than 4000 cargo ships arrive every year in Chattogram port. These ships carry 32 lakh containers and 11 crore metric tons of cargo