The government is set to finalize the National Port Strategy 2025 within this year to ensure the long-term and sustainable development of Bangladesh’s land, river, and seaports, said Shipping Adviser Brig Gen (retd) Dr M Sakhawat Hossain.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ consultation meeting held at a hotel in Dhaka on Tuesday, the adviser said that the draft of the strategy has reached its final stage.
The meeting was organized by the Ministry of Shipping with support from the Government of Japan and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
“The draft of the National Port Strategy is nearly complete. We expect to finalize it within this year and begin implementation by January next year,” Dr Sakhawat Hossain said.
He noted that despite the vital role ports play in Bangladesh’s economic growth, the country has not had a unified port management policy in its 54 years of independence. Each port has been operating with its own development plan.
“To align with global standards and attract more investment, the government is developing this comprehensive strategy to modernize and streamline port management,” he added.
Highlighting the global trend of digital port management, Dr Sakhawat said: “Many major ports around the world are now managed through digital systems, attracting significant foreign investment. Our goal is to move in that direction. The National Port Strategy will help build an integrated and modern port infrastructure.”
As part of the initiative, the government plans to introduce a Maritime Single Window system — a unified digital platform that will allow businesses to access port-related services quickly and efficiently, minimizing bureaucratic hurdles.
Shipping Secretary Dr Nurunnahar Chowdhury, NDC, who chaired the event, thanked JICA and the Japanese government for their cooperation.
She said: “Under the guidance of the honourable adviser, the National Port Strategy will open new possibilities for modern port management and become a landmark document for the maritime sector.”
Rear Admiral SM Moniruzzaman, chairman of the Chittagong Port Authority and the focal person for the project, also spoke at the event.
He thanked the Shipping Ministry and stakeholders for their collaboration and said the implementation of the strategy will bring “transformational change” to Bangladesh’s port management system.
The National Port Strategy emphasizes greater coordination among the country’s seaports, inland river ports, and land ports. Officials hope that once implemented, the strategy will mark the beginning of a new era for Bangladesh’s maritime sector.
