Matarbari deep sea port is being constructed on 31 acres of land at Maheshkhali in Cox's Bazar, about 70 km by sea from Chittagong port. A dam or breakwater is being built in the sea in a special system at this seaport. There the soil is being dug with 'Cassiopeia-V'. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is lending to the project. Chattogram Port Authority and Bangladesh Government have invested in this project. Two jetties have also been constructed in the area for the import of goods for coal based power projects. So far, 117 commercial vessels have loaded power plant equipment at the two jetties.
State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury came to visit Maheshkhali Matarbari in Cox's Bazar on Sunday, said that the port of Matarbari has become visible in the meantime. The construction of the jetty and container yard will start there from next July. When this port is opened, large feeder vessels will come. This will save money and time for traders. The port will be operational from 2026 onwards.
He said, Matarbari port will be a commercial hub. Chattogram Port is the lifeline of the economy. Matarbari Port will also be the lifeline of parallel economy. Matarbari Port Development Project worth Tk 17 thousand 777 crore 20 lakh has been taken up for setting up the sea port. which is valid till 31 December 2026. After the approval of the project, the implementation process is started. At present the drawing design work has been completed.
He said that the construction of 14.30 km long approach channel with 350 meters wide and 16 meters deep has already been completed for the purpose of constructing a deep sea port. He also informed that tenders have been invited in three packages for construction of 460 meter long container jetty and 300 meter long multipurpose jetty and construction of all port facilities including container yard.
Shipping Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh will be developed and smart by 2041. The then 'smart country' will surpass Singapore.
Member of Parliament for Cox's Bazar-2 Constituency Ashek Ullah Rafique, Chairman of Chattogram-bound Port M Shahjahan, Coordinator of Matarbari Port Project Md Yusuf were also present in this visit of the shipping Minister.
