Strategic Master Plan for Chittagong Port Unveiled
7 September 2015
A master plan outlining details for the expansion of Chittagong Port was unveiled on 7 September 2015 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The proposed terminal development is expected to increase port efficiency by reducing the waiting period for vessels and fast-tracking vessel service time. Estimated costs are around $1.9 billion.
The new master plan prepared by Hamburg Port Consulting (HPC) outlines a long-term vision for the port, spanning 25-30 years. Recommendations include:
- Construction of three key terminals in the port area, including a container terminal on the existing general cargo berths and a new multipurpose terminal for non-container cargo;
- Port facility on a small island in the Bay of Bengal; and
- Expansion of hinterland links, including roads.
Chittagong Port handled 1.8M twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEUs) in 2015. Research by HPC showed that container traffic in the port will reach 2.7 million TEUs by 2020, climb to 4.4 million TEUs by 2025, and 5.1 million TEUs by 2030. The master plan recommends planning already for implementation of the proposed improvements, since capacity and efficiency of Chittagong Port affects the general competitiveness of the Bangladesh economy.
Bangladesh Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan and ADB Bangladesh Country Director Kazuhiko Higuchi were present at the launch. In his speech, Mr. Khan expressed bullishness about Bangladesh's container-handling, saying it would grow at a faster rate with the recent agreement between Bangladesh and India to allow use of Chittagong and Mongla ports for movement of India-bound goods. Talks allowing Bhutan and Nepal access to the two seaports are also underway.
The ADB-financed technical assistance 'Strategic Master Plan for Chittagong Port' was approved in 2011, and aimed to facilitate opportunities for expansion of regional trade by preparing a master plan to improve efficiency of port operations and intermodal transport logistics.
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