Payra port’s first terminal likely to open by October

The Payra sea port's first terminal is expected to be up and running by October, facilitating transport of goods from mother vessels and speeding up operations in the country's third major seaport. 

The terminal, built on the banks of the Rabnabad channel, will have the capacity to simultaneously load three 200-metre-long mother vessels.

The 650-metre main terminal will have a 3.25 lakh square metre backup yard and a 10,000 square metre container freight station facility. Two more terminals are also under construction.

With Belgian company Jan De Nul completing capital dredging on the country's deepest channel in March this year, mother vessels began using the jetty at the Payra thermal power plant adjacent to the Payra port.

Initially, goods will be transported from the first terminal by road via a bridge over the Andharmanik river, said Payra Port Authority Deputy Director (Traffic) Azizur Rahman.

But ferry services will soon be introduced to ease the movement of heavy vehicles, he said.

Another 1.12km bridge is also being constructed over the Andharmanik river, Rahman said, adding that work on a six-lane 6.35-km road was also proceeding rapidly.

The cost of the project, including the construction of the first terminal, six-lane road and four-lane bridge, is estimated at Tk 4,516 crore.

Marking buoys fitted with lights have been installed at an anchorage which can accommodate 15 ships alongside loading and unloading of goods.

On August 24, the port authority arranged a discussion with stakeholders to speed up the port's construction.

The stakeholders include Bangladesh Shipping Agents Association, Bangladesh Customs and Forwarding Agents Association, Bangladesh Freight Forwarders Association and representatives of wharves located within the port's boundaries.

The port authority should increase communication with importers of Barisal, Bhola and Dhaka, said Syed Mohammad Mithu, general secretary of the port's workers union.

"If we can encourage the big importers in these areas, they will use the Payra port to bring in products. As a result, use of the port will increase and the port will also benefit financially," he said.

Till August, Payra Port Authority earned Tk 913.19 crore in revenues from 339 foreign commercial ships and 1,459 domestic lighterage vessels using the port's under-construction facilities.

The Payra port is somewhat operational, with various traders bringing in products, including cement, and raw materials, through the port, said Payra Port Authority Chairman Rear Admiral Golam Sadek.

"Activities at the Payra port are increasing day by day, paving the way for foreign investment. Once the Payra port becomes fully functional, it can provide economic support to Bangladesh," he said.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had inaugurated the partial operations of the port on August 13, 2016.