Bay terminal to go into operation by 2030: CPA chairman

The much-anticipated Bay Terminal of the Chattogram port is expected to go into operation by 2030, said Rear Admiral SM Moniruzzaman, chairman of Chittagong Port Authority (CPA).

Once operational, the terminal will usher in a new era for Bangladesh's economy, trade, and import-export sectors, he said.

He made the comments yesterday while addressing as chief guest the "General Market Engagement Conference for the Bay Terminal Marine Infrastructure Development Project" at the port auditorium.

Moniruzzaman said the Bay Terminal would not only transform Chattogram but also strengthen Bangladesh's position on South Asia's trade map.

"With the launch of the Bay Terminal, the country's export capacity will significantly expand, ship turnaround time will be dramatically reduced, and the overall economy will experience a major boost," he added.

The CPA chairman further said design and preparatory work for the Bay Terminal construction project are nearing completion.

The government and the port authority have already held preliminary discussions with several domestic and international construction firms.

Commodore Kaosar Rashid, member (engineering) of the CPA, said the Bay Terminal project has become essential to ease the growing pressure on the Chattogram port.

"All port stakeholders are eager to see the terminal (project) implemented without delay," he said.

The previous government had approved establishing the Bay Terminal, comprising four terminals, on around 2,500 acres of land in the Anandabazar area of North Halishahar, Chattogram.

The project involves construction of breakwaters and navigation channels and development of port facilities such as road and rail links, container yards and jetties.

The terminal is expected to enable the berthing of vessels with a draft of up to 12 metres and of up to 280 metres in length.

Currently, the Chittagong port, the maritime gateway for over 90 percent of the country's international trade volume and 98 percent of its container traffic, can only receive small feeder vessels during limited hours of the day.

The conference was attended by representatives of potential local and foreign contractors, leaders of port user associations, engineers, and officials from the Planning Commission.