[🇧🇩] Sea Ports/Air Ports/River Ports/Bridges/Mega Projects

[Saif]

Bay Terminal at Chattogram port to be a game-changer for Bangladesh

Chairman of Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) Rear Admiral S M Moniruzzaman has said the proposed Bay Terminal at Chattogram port will be a game-changer for Bangladesh. Speaking at a press briefing at Shaheed Md Fazlur Rahman Munshi Auditorium on Thursday, he expressed his optimism about expediting

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Bay Terminal at Chattogram port to be a game-changer for Bangladesh
FE Online Desk
Published :
Feb 28, 2025 15:22
Updated :
Feb 28, 2025 15:27

Chairman of Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) Rear Admiral S M Moniruzzaman. File Photo

Chairman of Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) Rear Admiral S M Moniruzzaman has said the proposed Bay Terminal at Chattogram port will be a game-changer for Bangladesh.

Speaking at a press briefing at Shaheed Md Fazlur Rahman Munshi Auditorium on Thursday, he expressed his optimism about expediting the pre-implementation process of the mega-project saying a major update regarding the Bay terminal is expected by next month, BSS reports.

"The Bay Terminal will be a game-changer for Bangladesh. The Draft Project Proposal (DPP) is expected to be approved by mid-next month. We have already acquired 500 acres of land for the mega-project. The country will benefit more as soon as we complete the project," the port chairman said.

He, however, said that developed countries have fully automated green ports. "Our cargo growth rate is still 7-10 percent. We need to handle 5 million TEUs per year. We are trying to bring systematic changes and need to build over-flow yards apart from working to make the operations of 19 off-docks facilities," he added.

Emphasizing the priority on overall port security, the CPA chairman said, "Port is a national blessing and ensuring its security is our foremost priority. In no way, we can allow the disruption of port operation."

He informed that a US team on International Shipping and Port Security (ISPS) has conducted an audit and expressed its satisfaction regarding security measures taken in and outside the port.

In this context, he pointed out that CPA and Custom House have been working together to improve the operation in cargo release activities as well as removal of hazardous cargo from the ASYCUDA World system during imports.

"Around 120 refrigerated (temperature-controlled) containers had been plugged in for nine months, and those were destroyed. This kind of initiative had not been taken in the past 10-15 years, but we have completed it in just 3-4 months. There are 10,000 containers eligible for auction that has been lying around occupying huge spaces inside the port jetty.

"Once these idle goods laden containers are removed through auction after completion of on-going inventory, we will have space for smooth container operation for the next 4-5 years," he added.

He also informed that measures have been taken to prevent petty thefts within the port premises.

"We even traced an attempt where a vehicle chassis was used to smuggle goods. We have implemented multiple security measures to ensure that no one could utilize any loophole for forgery or burglary," the CPA chairman said.

In addition, he mentioned that cargo loaded from larger ships at the outer anchorage cannot remain idle within the port area for more than 72 hours.

He requested the media to highlight the positive achievement of the port; as misleading information regarding key-installation of the country's economic gateway usually projects negative impressions to the outside world.

"Railway wagon and engine shortage along with strikes called by outside workforce related to port operation often hampers port operation and affects the overall the performance of the port," he observed.

Freight for shipping at Pangao terminal was fixed earlier but it is now open as the market should determine the rates. Many reputed international companies have shown interest to operate Pangao Terminal. "We are committed to making the port more business-friendly and competitive," he said.

 

[Saif]

Why are iron bridges in Barguna collapsing?

Take measures to address the plight of commuters

www.thedailystar.net

Why are iron bridges in Barguna collapsing?
Take measures to address the plight of commuters

VISUAL: STAR

We are concerned to learn that at least 10 iron bridges, built over different canals in Barguna's Amtali upazila in 2008, have collapsed within the last eight months. This is disrupting the daily lives of thousands of residents, as they have to struggle to commute within the upazila and to Barguna district headquarters. Students, patients, and the elderly are being particularly affected. The question is: how could these bridges collapse within just 16 to 17 years of their construction? Who is responsible for such poor-quality work?

According to locals, the Local Government Engineering Department in Amtali upazila awarded Shahidul—the then chairman of Haldia Union Parishad—a tender to construct 21 iron bridges in Haldia and Chawra unions during the 2007-08 fiscal year, with an allocation of Tk 2 crore per bridge. Shahidul allegedly used his influence to secure the contract, and completed the construction using substandard materials. Reportedly, while the bridges were supposed to be built using iron beams and angle plates, he used lower-quality materials, leading to their rapid deterioration.

Sadly, when it comes to anomalies in public construction projects, Amtali is not an isolated case. A recent report revealed that the construction of a bridge over a canal in Patuakhali's Galachipa upazila has remained stalled for two years. Moreover, lack of maintenance and neglect by the authorities have led to severe deterioration of at least 242 iron bridges in the same district, posing an imminent risk of collapse. Thus, over the past decades, corruption and irregularities in construction projects have become prevalent. While large-scale corruption in megaprojects under the Awami League government has been widely reported, smaller projects like bridges, culverts, and roads—crucial for local communities—often escaped scrutiny. Substantial public funds were squandered on those poorly executed projects.

We urge the government to act urgently to rebuild the collapsed bridges and repair those at risk. Investigating these incidents and holding those responsible to account is imperative. More importantly, future construction projects must be closely monitored to prevent similar irregularities. Public funds must not be wasted due to the corruption of government officials and local political leaders. Infrastructure projects at the local level should prioritise durability and long-term benefits for the people.​

 

[Saif]

Mongla port to get Tk 4,000cr equipment from China

The government is set to purchase various equipment for Mongla port, Bangladesh's second-largest seaport, from China under a government-to-government arrangement for Tk 4,046 crore.

www.thedailystar.net

Mongla port to get Tk 4,000cr equipment from China

The government is set to purchase various equipment for Mongla port, Bangladesh's second-largest seaport, from China under a government-to-government arrangement for Tk 4,046 crore.

The initiative was approved by the advisory committee on purchase yesterday.

According to a Cabinet Division statement, the items will be directly purchased from the state-owned enterprise China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).

The purchase will be made under a Tk 4,068.23 crore project, which was approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council on February 2 this year, for the expansion and modernisation of Mongla port.

Of the project cost, Tk 475.33 crore will be borne by the government of Bangladesh, while the remaining Tk 3,592.90 crore will be sourced as a loan from China.

During the project's initiation, Planning Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud stated that its main objective was to expand facilities at Mongla port by enhancing its container handling capacity, reports news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha.

Mongla port, situated around 225 kilometres southwest of the capital Dhaka, is very important in the context of geopolitics, and the government wants to turn it into a regional hub, he added.

The project includes the construction of two container jetties, an 87,600-square-metre yard for containers bearing goods, a 34,170-square-metre yard for empty containers, and a 4,260-square-metre yard for handling hazardous cargo, the statement reads.

The advisory committee on purchase also approved the procurement of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo from the international spot market at a cost of Tk 664.40 crore.

The consignment will be delivered by US-based Excelerate Energy at $14.30 per million British thermal units (mmBtu).​

 

[Saif]

Economic slowdown lowers container handling at Mongla port

Mongla port, the second largest seaport in Bangladesh, witnessed a sharp decline in container handling throughout the first seven months of the current fiscal year (FY), with growing economic constraints eroding business activities in the country.

www.thedailystar.net

Economic slowdown lowers container handling at Mongla port

Mongla port, the second largest seaport in Bangladesh, witnessed a sharp decline in container handling throughout the first seven months of the current fiscal year (FY), with growing economic constraints eroding business activities in the country.

Official data shows that the seaport handled around 12,083 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of containers in the July-January period of FY25, down 36.78 percent year-on-year.

The decline was worst in January, when container handling receded by 42.02 percent year-on-year to 1,697 TEUs, reflecting lower imports amid a sluggish domestic economy.

Khayrul Bashar, CEO of local cargo service provider Fleet Freight, said the decline in container handling is a result of the country's slowing industrial output.

He said local businesses are being cautious about foreign purchases amid the ongoing currency volatility and rising inflation, resulting in lower shipments of industrial raw materials and other key imports.

"Many businesses are cutting back on imports due to rising costs and tighter financial conditions," Bashar added while citing reduced shipments of bulk cargo and consumer goods through Mongla port.

He further said that this reflects the country's broader economic slowdown as lower imports of industrial inputs and intermediate goods is affecting the import-reliant industries.

Bashar also informed that just 250 of roughly 700 clearing and forwarding agents enlisted by the port are currently active.

"Higher import costs and lower industrial demand contributed to this decline," he said while highlighting challenges faced by the port in attracting major shipping lines and handling higher trade volumes.

AKM Anisur Rahman, member (engineering and development) of Mongla Port Authority, said container handling has fallen compared to previous levels because of economic challenges both home and abroad, including disruptions to the global supply chain.

Rahman explained that container traffic could also fluctuate amid shifting market trends, geopolitical uncertainties and changes to import-export behaviour based on the peoples' seasonal needs.

As such, he assured that such downturns are temporary, and that upcoming infrastructure projects would enhance the port's handling capacity.

Regarding a recently approved project for enhancing the facilities at Mongla Port, Rahman said the plans include constructing new jetties and upgrading its ICT with the aim of attracting more foreign ships through improved efficiency.

More specifically, the Tk 4,046 crore project will enhance the port's container-handling capacity by establishing more modern facilities, which includes a new container terminal, container delivery yard, and container stockyard.

Regarding the decline in container handling in January, Rahman expressed optimism that the volume would recover in the coming months, when the trade activities stabilise.

Moreover, Rahman said the port authority is focusing on long-term solutions to strengthen Mongla's position in the maritime trade sector.

And despite the recent decline, he remains hopeful that ongoing infrastructure projects, including those for improving road and rail links, will help Mongla port regain its momentum in coming months.

However, Rahman said much will depend on the global economic recovery and government initiatives to bolster trade and logistics efficiency.​

 

[Saif]

SpaceX discusses feasibility of providing services in Bangladesh's airports

The discussion was held between Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) Chairman Air-Vice Marshal Manjur Kabir Bhuiyan and SpaceX Global Engagement Advisor Richard H Griffith at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA)

www.thedailystar.net

SpaceX discusses feasibility of providing services in Bangladesh's airports

SpaceX, the parent company of satellite-based internet service provider Starlink today discussed the feasibility of providing services at the airports in Bangladesh.

The discussion was held between Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) Chairman Air-Vice Marshal Manjur Kabir Bhuiyan and SpaceX Global Engagement Advisor Richard H Griffith at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA), CAAB said in a release.

During the meeting, they discussed the possibility of introducing Starlink's services at Bangladesh's airports and various aspects of improving passenger services through it.

The CAAB chairman thanked the SpaceX representative for visiting Bangladesh and expressed hope for mutual cooperation on this matter in future.

Last month, a conversation over phone took place between Chief Advisor Prof Muhammad Yunus and SpaceX founder Elon Musk.

During the discussion, they extensively talked about the necessity of launching Starlink services in Bangladesh and the possibility of implementing it as soon as possible.​

 

[Saif]

Country’s longest railway bridge inaugurated on Jamuna River

The longest rail bridge of the country was inaugurated on Jamuna River as a passenger train, starting from the eastern side, crossed the bridge in just three minutes and reached Soydabad in Sirajganj Tuesday morning.

en.prothomalo.com

Country’s longest railway bridge inaugurated on Jamuna River
Staff Correspondent
Tangail
Updated: 18 Mar 2025, 14: 55

Railway secretary Fahimul Islam was the chief guest at the inauguration event at Ibrahimabad station while Japan ambassador to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi and JICA’s South Asia department director general Ito Teruyuki were the special guests at the event. Prothom Alo

The longest railway bridge of the country was inaugurated on Jamuna River as a passenger train, starting from the eastern side, crossed the bridge in just three minutes and reached Soydabad in Sirajganj Tuesday morning.

The inaugural train started the journey from Ibrahimabad station at 12:06 pm, reached the east side of the bridge at 12:12 pm. It took only three minutes and 15 seconds to cross the bridge. The train reached Soydabad station in Sirajganj at 12:21 pm.

Railway secretary Fahimul Islam was the chief guest at the inauguration event at Ibrahimabad station while Japan ambassador to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi and JICA’s South Asia department director general Ito Teruyuki were the special guests at the event.

Jamuna railway bridge construction project Al Fattah Md Masudur Rahman gave the welcome speech and Bangladesh Railway director general Md Afzal Hossain, who chaired the event, made the closing remarks.

The guests inaugurated the bridge by pulling a tumbler lever.

The bridge has dual gauge double tracks. Operation of the train on the bridge started on 12 February.

Jamuna rail bridge project director Al Fattah Md Masudur Rahman told Prothom Alo that the distance between the stations at two ends of the bridge is 13 kms. It would not take more than seven minutes to cross the bridge.

He further said earlier a train used to take 20-25 minutes to cross Jamuna bridge. But trains will take less time to cross the bridge now while the number of trains will also increase.

Trains are not using the old Jamuna bridge since the construction of the new bridge.

The 4.8 km bridge construction project was taken in December 2016. The initially estimated cost was just over Tk 97.34 billion and the work was scheduled to complete in 2023. Later the revised cost stood at Tk 167.8 billion and the tenure was extended to 2025.

The project’s initial name was Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Railway Bridge. But the name was changed to Jamuna Railway Bridge after the interim government took power.

Forty nine spans of the bridge have been constructed on 50 pillars. A train could operate at 120 kmh. A railway source, however, said they have set a speed limit of 100 kmh. But the trains will operate at lower speed.

Inauguration of this rail bridge has opened a new horizon of communications with the northern districts of the country, Bangladesh Railway’s Paksey division commerce officer Goutam Kumar Kundu told Prothom Alo.​

 

[Saif]

Payra Port nothing but a 'poisonous boil' for economy: Adviser Wahiduddin

Planning adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud on Sunday criticised the Payra Sea Port project as a ‘poisonous boil for the country’s economy'. “This sort of project that reaches at the middle of it is a poisonous boil for the economy,” he said while briefing reporters about the outcome of the weekly ECNEC...

en.prothomalo.com

Payra Port nothing but a 'poisonous boil' for economy: Adviser Wahiduddin
UNB
Dhaka
Published: 23 Mar 2025, 19: 16
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Wahiduddin MahmudFile photo​

Planning adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud on Sunday criticised the Payra Sea Port project as a ‘poisonous boil for the country’s economy'.

“This sort of project that reaches at the middle of it is a poisonous boil for the economy,” he said while briefing reporters about the outcome of the weekly ECNEC meeting held at the NEC conference room with chief adviser Muhammad Yunus in the chair.

He lamented that at the initial stage of this project no one was there to point out that there is no possibility to set up a river port here without yearly dredging, whereas the seaport is a far cry.

Mentioning that the physical implementation of the project is 72 per cent till now while the financial implementation is more than half, the adviser said, “We can axe the project if we think that this project is a bad project, but that cannot be done, the port was established primarily to import coal for the power plant.”

Wahiduddin Mahmud said that two advisers have already visited the port lamenting that this is not a seaport, not a river port, it is merely a dock for boats. Two dredgers have been bought for this port which will be used round the year to dredge the long channel, he mentioned.

“Without dredging it cannot be used as a river port,” Wahiduddin Mahmud said, adding that without this the power plant cannot be managed to run.

The planning adviser said that ECNEC asked him to visit the port and find the best solution for this project. “I can say right now that there is no best solution to this--theoretically this is a bad project.”

Wahiduddin Mahmud said that this project can be stopped, but the coal-based power plant cannot be shut down. “This plant is running well, we have to bring coal for this one,” he added.

But, he said, this project will be termed a loss project in the coming future as it will incur loss for the country.

The Port of Payra, situated in Kalapara, Patuakhali, Bangladesh, was established through an Act of Parliament in 2013 and officially inaugurated in 2016.

Located on the Ramnabad Channel, near the Bay of Bengal, the port is supposed to serve as a key gateway for maritime trade in the region.​