CPA inks deal with Japanese JV for Matarbari Deep Sea Port
The Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) has signed an agreement with the Japanese joint venture of Penta-Ocean Construction Co, Ltd and TOA Corporation to develop critical infrastructure for the Matarbari Deep Sea Port in Maheshkhali, Cox's Bazar.
The signing ceremony took place at a Le Meridien Dhaka on Tuesday, April 22. The project will be jointly financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Chattogram Port Authority (CPA).
The agreement was officially signed by Rear Admiral SM Moniruzzaman, Chairman of the Chittagong Port Authority, and Tomokazu Hasegawa, General Manager of Penta Ocean Construction Company Limited. The event was graced by Shipping Adviser Brigadier General (Retd) M Sakhawat Hossain, who attended as the chief guest.
As part of the agreement under Package-1 activities, the following key developments are planned:
Construction of Berths/Jetties: A 300-meter-long multipurpose berth/jetty capable of accommodating ships up to 200 meters in length.
- A 460-meter-long container berth/jetty designed for ships up to 350 meters in length.
Terminal and Ancillary Infrastructure: Development of 5,100 ground slots for storage and installation of terminals, buildings, pavements, retaining walls, sea walls, boundary walls, and land reclamation. Dredging, land development, emergency generators, solar power systems, terminal utilities, electrical works, and container storage facilities within the terminal area.
During the ceremony, it was announced that the Matarbari Port will have the capacity to berth large container ships with a draft of 14.50 metres and a length of 300 metres, accommodating vessels with a capacity of approximately 8,200 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units).
By 2029, the port is expected to handle between 0.6 to 1.1 million TEUs annually, increasing to 2.2 to 2.6 million TEUs by 2041.
Adviser M Sakhawat Hossain emphasised the strategic significance of the Matarbari Deep Sea Port, stating that it represents more than just an infrastructure project - it is a pivotal investment in Bangladesh’s future. He highlighted several anticipated benefits:
- Increased Shipping Capacity: The port will accommodate large ships with capacities of up to 100,000 Deadweight Tonnage (DWT), significantly boosting maritime trade capabilities.
- Congestion Relief: It will alleviate congestion at existing ports, streamlining operations and enhancing efficiency.
- Supply Chain Optimisation: The project will create a dynamic supply chain and ensure direct access to the burgeoning industrial zones of Cox's Bazar-Maheshkhali.
- Regional Hub Development: Matarbari will position Bangladesh as a vital energy and transshipment hub in the region.
Sakhawat expressed gratitude to the Japanese government and JICA for their technical expertise, financing, and capacity-building support. "Their cooperation is instrumental in transforming the Matarbari project into a reality," he remarked.
Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Nazmul Hassan, Shipping Ministry Senior Secretary Mohammed Yousuf, representatives from the Japanese Embassy and senior officials from JICA were also present at the signing ceremony.
