Bay terminal of Chittagong port will be operational by 2030: Chawak Chairman

The much awaited Bay Terminal of Chittagong Port will be operational by the year 2030, Chairman of Chittagong Port Authority, Rear Admiral S.M. Muniruzzaman.

He said that this mega project, one of the most important of the country, is showing light on the way to implementation after overcoming various complications. Already infrastructure investmentFacilitation Company (IIFC) has been appointed as transaction advisor for the project. In June next year, tenders will be invited for the construction of breakwater and access channel of Bay Terminal.

The chief guest at the exchange meeting titled ‘General Market Engagement Conference for the Bay Terminal Marine Infrastructure Development Project’ held at the Port Auditorium on Monday (November 3).The port chairman said these things in his speech.

The port chairman said, “Bay terminal is being constructed keeping in mind the needs of the next 100 years. It will be a game changer project for the country’s economy, which will take Chittagong port to the rank of world class port.”

He further said, “The Bay Terminal will strengthen Bangladesh’s position not only in Chittagong but in the trade map of the entire South Asia. Once it becomes operational, the country’s exportsCapacity will increase and vessel arrival times will decrease dramatically. There will also be radical changes in the overall economy of the country.”

If everything goes according to plan, the main construction work can start in June next year, Chawak Chairman said, the design and preparatory work of the bay terminal is almost at the final stage. Preliminary discussions with local and foreign contractors have already been completed.

Member of Chittagong Port Authority(Engineering) Commodore Kauchar Rashid said, “Implementation of Bay Terminal is the need of the hour to reduce the increasing pressure on Chittagong Port. Under the project, construction of breakwater and navigation channel in the sea will be done along with rail and road connectivity, container yard, jetty and modern infrastructure.”

He said that the Chittagong Port Authority will carry out ‘Bay Terminal Marine Infrastructure Development’ for the period from April 2025 to June 2031.will implement the project. This huge terminal will be built in Anandabazar area of ​​North Halishahar of the city.

According to the port authority’s calculations, the bay terminal will be able to handle at least 3 million TEU (20-foot equivalent units) containers a year when operational—almost double the current capacity.

Representatives of potential domestic and foreign contractors of the project, leaders of port user organizations, engineers participated in the exchange meeting.and Planning Commission officials.

Speakers in the meeting said that if the Bay Terminal is successfully implemented, Bangladesh will become one of the logistics hubs of regional trade. The century-old heritage of Chittagong Port will then reach new heights.