Chittagong Port Authority Chairman Rear Admiral SM Abul Kalam Azad said the Matarbari Port Development Project has kicked off.
He made the remarks at a briefing after the first meeting of the Chittagong Port Authority with Japanese engineering consultant firm Nippon Koei at Bandar Bhaban on Monday.
Rear Admiral Azad said the contract was signed with the consultant company on September 23 and the Port Development Project has started from now.
Construction of Matarbari deep seaport was a demand of the time. As a result, the economic belt that is being formed from Dhaka to Cox's Bazar will be accelerated.
“The Matarbari deep seaport is being built in keeping with the role model set by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Work on the port will be completed by 2026.”
Port member Md Zafar Alam said work on the terminal could start by mid-2025. Work is underway during on coronavirus time, which is a positive sign.
He said ships carrying 8,000 to 10,000 containers could come. The demand for our large container transport is increasing. Initially designed to handle 800,000 containers. Once the jetty is expanded, the capacity will increase.
He said there could be many terminal ports under one port. Matarbari Port is within the limits of Chittagong Port. Pre-feasibility study has been done with Japanese funding.
Team Leader Hotani said, “We are working sincerely. The first step will be design and civil work. The second step will be to collect the handling equipment.”
“The latest Japanese technology will be used in this project. Earthquakes will be kept in mind. Technical assistance will be provided,” he added.
Port Secretary Md Omar Faruq and other officials were present.
