Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is set to inaugurate the Matarbari deep sea port channel and lay the foundation stone of the first terminal in Maheshkhali of Cox’s Bazar on Saturday.
The port is slated to commence operations in 2026 in a bid to bolster Bangladesh’s presence in the Bay of Bengal region. It will help Bangladesh geopolitically secure a strong position among major powers in the Indian Ocean, experts say.
The significance of the Matarbari deep sea port goes beyond its economic advantages for Bangladesh, as it holds the potential to serve as a central hub for landlocked neighbouring regions like Nepal, Bhutan, and Northeast India.
In March, Bangladesh launched its very first submarine base with modern basin facilities for the Navy at Pekua of Cox's Bazar to provide safe jetty facilities to submarines and warships at the harbour, which is very close to the Matarbari deep sea port.
Naval experts say the submarine base will protect the Matarbari deep sea port and Matarbari power plant and ensure the implementation of development projects surrounding the area.
According to the local administration, the government has decided to acquire land in five union parishads centering on Matarbari to build other infrastructure related to the deep sea port in order to make this area a regional economic hub.
With the inauguration on Saturday construction will commence on a 460-metre-long container jetty and a 300-metre-long multipurpose jetty, both with an 18.5-metre draft (underwater part of the ship). Various port facilities, including a container yard, will also be established, enabling 8,000 to 10,000 container ships to directly access the jetty.
Moreover, the width of the channel has now been expanded by 100 metres to 350 metres.
During a visit to the project area on Thursday, this correspondent observed a festive atmosphere in preparation for the special day for the country's most awaited deep sea port.
Currently, Bangladesh has three sea ports — in Chittagong, Payra and Mongla — but the government has been planning a deep sea port for the last couple of years.
Initially, discussion centered on a deep sea port being established on Sonadia Island with financial support from China. Later, the potential of Payra was also considered. Finally, though, the government decided to build the deep sea port in Matarbari with the financial support of Japan.
Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) Chairman Rear Admiral Mohammad Sohail said four large ships will be able to anchor at Matarbari deep sea port after the completion of the first terminal. Later, eight ships will be accommodated at a time once the second terminal is ready.
“Mother vessels with a capacity of 100,000 tons will easily be able to anchor at Matarbari as this port has a draft of 18 metres.”
Currently, ships with the capacity of 30,000-35,000 tons are anchoring at Chittagong port but Matarbari port will allow ships with three times more capacity, and reduce carrying cost and shipping time, he added.
Visiting the project area on Thursday, State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury said the deep sea port will not only strengthen the economy but will also work in moving forward together, with good relations, with the neighbouring countries.
“Our friendly countries can also take advantage of it. Matarbari is going to be the Singapore of South Asia. This port will add around 2-3% to our GDP by increasing the shipping engagement in other domestic ports also,” he added.
On geopolitical issues, the state minister said that, due to the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh is in a place of respect both nationally and internationally. “The Matarbari sea port will become a hub of regional trade and economy. Now the people of the world will know the south Asian country Bangladesh has its deep sea port.”
The work on both Matarbari port and road connectivity is progressing equally. He said: “The terminal and roads will be visible at the same time. The railway line will also be connected to Matarbari soon. The prime minister has shown the fact of moving the country forward by multi-model connectivity.”
According to project officials, the CPA has made comprehensive preparations for the channel's opening, which was acquired from the Coal Power Generation Company Bangladesh Limited (CPGCBL).
Abul Kalam Azad, managing director of CPGCBL, said the company officially handed over the Matarbari deep sea port channel to CPA Chairman Rear Admiral Mohammad Sohail on September 20.
The project, which aims to establish the nation's first and only deep sea port, was undertaken at a cost of around Tk17,777 crore, with the project scheduled for completion by December 31, 2026.