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

[Bilal9]

Dhaka Hazrat Shahjalal Int'l Airport has been upgraded to ILS Cat. II from Category I. This will allow automated landings in low visibility (foggy) conditions. Video talks about the background and context of the upgrade. Of note - the three other major airports (Sylhet, Chittagong, Jessore) will also be upgraded to ILS Cat. II soon.

 

[Saif]

Container handling at Ctg port rises 10% in Aug-Oct

There has been a significant year-on-year rise in the number of containers handled at Chattogram port in the three months till October while there was a drop in the overall handling of cargo and ships.

www.thedailystar.net

Container handling at Ctg port rises 10% in Aug-Oct

There has been a significant year-on-year rise in the number of containers handled at Chattogram port in the three months till October while there was a drop in the overall handling of cargo and ships.

The port handled a total of 8.30 lakh TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of containers, both goods-laden ones and empty, between August and October.

This is 10.21 percent higher than the 7.54 lakh TEUs handled in the same period last year.

Of the 8.30 lakh TEUs, 4.50 lakh TEUs had arrived, while the rest were destined to go abroad.

According to Chittagong Port Authority (CPA), the data was a compilation of the number of containers handled at the port's jetties, Kamalapur Inland Container Depot in Dhaka and Pangaon Inland Container Terminal in Keraniganj.

The port users opined that a significant number of containers that could not be moved for political turmoil since mid-July were transported later, and thus the volume increased in subsequent months.

A container congestion arose at the port yards due to the political unrest, said Muntasir Rubayat, head of operations at GBX Logistics, a leading feeder vessel operating firm.

This caused delays in the unloading and loading of cargo and led to the formation of a long queue of vessels, he told The Daily Star.

Many export-laden containers could not be brought to the port from factories and private inland container depots (ICD) due to disruptions in vehicular movement on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway, he said.

As the situation slowly improved, it was possible to bring these to the port in the following weeks and thus there was a gradual increase in the flux of containers and vessels in the following months.

Port data shows that container throughput rose at the port and Kamalapur ICD in August and September.

In terms of the overall handling of cargo, including containerised and bulk cargo, the port saw a 5.18 percent year-on-year decrease in the three months.

A total of 2.91 crore tonnes of cargo were handled through the port's jetties and outer anchorage from August to October.

It was over 3.07 crore tonnes in the same period last year.

There was a decrease in the import of cargo in bulk in August and September, said Syed Md Arif, president of Bangladesh Shipping Agents Association.

This is due to the fact that importers who made small-scale purchases were finding it hard to open letters of credit for a crisis of US dollars, he said.

Even those who usually make large-scale purchases imported goods in small quantities and for this, they hired comparatively small-sized bulk carriers.

There was an increase in the number of bulk carriers that had arrived in September and October, Arif added.

A total of 966 vessels arrived in the last three months, whereas it was 1,023 in the same period last year.​

 

[Bilal9]

Nice view of Bhairab inland river port and the three bridges (two rail and one road bridge) there, Plans are almost being finalized to upgrade this port to a container handling dock situation of international standard. I am certain that the road and rail logistics (already existing as seen below) will be integrated with this new port. The current port dates from time immemorial using old wooden cargo ships but nowadays 6000~8000 tons lighterage ships are the norm for equipment.

Once upgraded - Bhairab can act as an Inland Container terminal - just like the first one (Pangaon) set up about fifteen years ago, Pangaon Inland Container Terminal (PICT) is in Keraniganj and handles 116,000 TEUs annually.

Here are some smaller Inland container carrier ships (about 150~200 TEUs capacity for each) servicing PICT. Inland riverine container logistics is rapidly growing in Bangladesh and cost is a lot lower than either rail container through Kamalapur ICD or by container semi-truck. Needless to say all ships were built in Bangladeshi yards.

 

[Bilal9]

Chinese and other freight carriers are a far more common sight at Dhaka Int'l Airport now, even compared to a year ago. Air shipping is expensive, but for higher grade apparel (time sensitive too) it well justifies the heightened cost.



More Cargo carriers and a rarity - the US Bangla A330 returning to base.

 

[Saif]

China back for Mongla seaport dev works

China is set to come back for Mongla seaport development as Bangladesh's current interim government may allow Chinese investment in a Tk 40.68-billion project for the upgrade. The Mongla Port Authority has recently sought approval for the China-funded project, insiders said Friday about resumption

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

China back for Mongla seaport dev works
FHM Humayan Kabir
Published :
Nov 30, 2024 08:14
Updated :
Nov 30, 2024 08:14

China is set to come back for Mongla seaport development as Bangladesh's current interim government may allow Chinese investment in a Tk 40.68-billion project for the upgrade.

The Mongla Port Authority has recently sought approval for the China-funded project, insiders said Friday about resumption of the once-stalled bid.

Earlier, the project was put on hold by the deposed Sheikh Hasina government allegedly on "geopolitical considerations" in September last year.

In 2020, the past government allowed Indian financial support for a separate project on upgrading the Mongla seaport, now gaining prominence with major communications-infrastructure developments done by China in the region.

The Mongla Port Authority (MPA) under the Shipping Ministry has been implementing the Tk 60.15 billion project since 2020 for upgrading the port with part financing of Tk 44.59 billion from Indian loan.

A senior Planning Commission (PC) official said the MPA recently sought approval for Tk 40.68 billion as cost of 'Expansion and Modernization of Mongla Port Facility Project' where China has proposed to provide Tk 35.93 billion (nearly US$335.78 million) in loan.

Meanwhile, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC), headed by the then prime minister, had sent back the project proposal in September 2023. The ECNEC recommended a further review of the project.

"The MPA has recently sent the project proposal again by recasting the previous one. Now, the Port Authority is seeking approval," said the PC official.

He says since Bangladesh's political spectrum has changed after takeover by the new interim government in August last, the stalled China-funded Mongla Port development project is getting back in gear.

"We are reviewing and scrutinising the project. If we find necessary for the country, will recommend it for ECNEC approval," he adds.

A Shipping Ministry official said the Chinese authority has recently articulated interest in the integrated approach for construction, implementation, maintenance and management of the project.

Shipping Ministry officials has said China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) is the officially designated contractor of China to implement the project.

The MPA signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the CCECC authority on August 24, 2021 and the latter submitted its financial bid and technical proposal on January 28, 2023.

Expansion and Modernisation of Mongla Port Facility project was listed among the 27 development projects that China pledged to fund by signing an umbrella deal back in 2016 during President Xi Jinping's visit to Dhaka.

The project comprises construction of two container jetties with a length of 368 meters each, 87,600-square-meter loaded-container yard, 34,170-square-meter empty-container yard, and 4,260-square-meter hazardous cargo-handling yard.

Moreover, four gantry cranes, seven rubber-tyred gantry cranes, and 33 other pieces of equipment related to jetties will be bought under the project.

The two new jetties will enhance Mongla seaport's container-handling capacity by 394,000 twenty-foot-equivalent units (TEUs) per annum.

Following construction of many mega-infrastructures, particularly in Bangladesh's southern part--especially the Padma Bridge--the Mongla seaport's importance has increased manifold with vistas of opportunities in trade and connectivity opening up.

It has now become nearest seaport to the capital, Dhaka, and recently many international shipping lines have shown interest in plying to the port.

"A good number of garment exporters have also started shipping their goods through the port, as its distance with the capital is 100-kilometre shorter than those from other ports," one MPA official says.

The entire western part of Bangladesh and its adjoining areas are considered hinterland, having a unique opportunity to play vital role in the arena of international and regional trade and economy, Bangladeshi officials told their Chinese counterparts regarding the importance of the project.

In unlocking its potential the Mongla seaport recently registered a record in terms of ship arrivals, cargo handling, and revenue earning.

In 2020, the port saw a turnout of 970 ships--the highest in its 70-year history. It earned a profit of Tk 1.30 billion from the limited-scale port operations.​

 

[Bilal9]

Earlier, the project was put on hold by the deposed Sheikh Hasina government allegedly on "geopolitical considerations" in September last year.

Well that is not an issue now, thankfully. BJP's time for calling the shots in Bangladesh are over.

If the Chinese are allowed to technically improve the port, all manner of efficiencies will be introduced.

China is the foremost source for all heavy logistics port and harbor/mobile gantry equipment. And the most economical, to boot.

This is the best shot in the arm Mongla needed. Once the planned addition of modern equipment from China, the container handling capacity will be increased to 200,000 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) of containers. Though maybe 25% of the capacity is being utilized at present. Mongla Port Authority should provide temporary rebates on container shipping charges to popularize its use.

The six new Mongla container jetties, once constructed by 2025, will add another 800,000 TEU capacity, reaching 1 million TEU, according to Zahirul Huq, Chief Planning officer of the Mongla Port Authority. Half of these are already completed.

Almost half of India's major ports (mostly on the Eastern coast) handle way less than a million TEUs every year, other than Mundra and JNPT on the Western coast. So Mongla will be at that level.

Chittagong, however is at another level altogether.

In 2023, Chittagong seaport alone handled a total of 3.1 million TEUs , which reflects the port's resilience and its crucial role in Bangladesh's import and export activities. And they are doubling the number of Chittagong's container jetties, with new construction continuing. Chittagong, even without new construction is growing container handling 5~6% every year. In another three years, Chittagong will be able to handle close to 5 Million TEUs which is a conservative projection.

Now that we have Khulna much closer to Dhaka by both road and rail via Padma bridge, container traffic for RMG will get here much, much sooner than Chittagong and Mongla will again rise as an exporting container port, instead of just an importing port, for vehicle and commodity imports.

 

[Bilal9]

Arrival of larger ships at Chittagong Port speeds up cargo delivery, cuts transit time, cost​

The number of containers and cargoes being handled at Chattogram Port, the country's primary seaport, has surged in recent times, improving its trade efficiency, despite a decrease in the number of ship arrivals.

Stakeholders have attributed this growth to relatively larger ships now being able to dock at the port's jetty with more containers and goods on board, improving trade efficiency.

According to the port's data, in the nine months from July to March of fiscal year 2023-2024, 3,001 commercial ships from various countries docked at the port. The figure is a slight decline from the 3,231 ships that arrived during the same period in the previous financial year, marking a decrease of 7.12% in ship arrivals.

However, despite the decline, container handling at the port has increased by 7.64%, with 178,666 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) more containers being handled compared to the previous fiscal year. Similarly, cargo handling has also witnessed an increase of 4.20%.

Chattogram Port officials and stakeholder institutions said that enhanced navigation facilities along with the arrival of larger vessels have allowed for the transportation of more goods despite the reduced number of ship arrivals.

Before 2023, the port only accommodated ships with a maximum length of 190 meters and a draft of 9.5 meters. With an aim to enhance the port's capabilities, the UK-based organization HR Wallingford conducted a survey, "Details Hydrologic & Hydraulic Study in the Karnaphuli River", based on which the port authorities took the strategic decision to allow for the docking of ships of up to 200 meters in length and with a draft of 10 meters at the jetty from January 2023.


As a result, container ships are now able to carry an additional 1,000 plus containers and up to 15,000 tons of goods in open cargo ships. Freight charges have also come down as more goods are being transported.

According to shipping agents, a 190 meter vessel with a 9.5 meter draft can carry 2,500 to 2,600 containers, whereas a 200 meter vessel with 10 meter draft can carry 3800 to 4000 containers at the port.


Chattogram Port Authority Secretary Md Omar Farooq told TBS, "The port has significantly benefited because of the increased draft limit, as ships can now transport a significantly larger volume of containers."


"Due to this, a reduction can be seen in the number of ships arriving at the port in terms of numbers, but we can also see an increase in the transportation of goods, which is positively impacting the port's revenue," he added.

Bangladesh Shipping Agents Association Vice Chairman Mohammed Shafiqul Alam Jewel told TBS, "Our [the port's] success lies in the increase of the draft limit, the expansion in enhancing shipping capacity and reducing transportation costs."

Elaborating on the reduced costs, he said, "Ships carrying imported goods come to the port through transshipment in Singapore, Colombo, Malaysia and, similarly, export goods go to Europe and America through the transshipment ports.

"Previously, due to the draft limit restriction, ships could not carry more than a specified number of containers. Now, as navigability has increased, import ships are able to carry more goods. Thus shipping costs are also decreasing."

Citing examples of expedited cargo delivery, reduced transit times and cost, Shafiqul Alam Jewel said, "Recently, some of our consignments of imported goods arrived at Chattogram port from China in just 15 days. But, earlier, it took 20 to 25 days to reach the port through transshipment ports."

Muntasir Rubayat, head of operations at Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), told TBS, "Even 15 years ago, ships with a capacity of only 600 to 700 TEUs were coming to the port, and now ships of 2800-2900 TEUs are being docked. Costs have also come down due to more containers being loaded on larger ships. This has also reduced feeder freight charges."

Feeder vessel companies, operating on the Chattogram port to transshipment port route, said that currently the freight charge per TEU container is around $200. However, at the beginning of 2023, this freight charge was $300 to $350.

According to Chattogram port data, container handling during the nine months of the 2023-2024 fiscal year reached 2,338,361 TEUs, with cargo handling totaling 91,649,659 tons. In July-March of the 2022-23 fiscal year, the number of containers handled were 2,159,695 TEUs and cargoes handled were 87,804,837 tons.

Currently, the total number of jetties, where container ships and open cargo are unloaded, at Chittagong Port is 18. In January 2015, the draft of the port was increased to 9.5 meters and since then, the trade volume has been increasing every year.

 

[Saif]

A dignified welcome

A quiet revolution is underway at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in Dhaka.

www.thedailystar.net

A dignified welcome
Dhaka airport finally opens lounges dedicated to migrant workers and their families

A quiet revolution is underway at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in Dhaka. For years, Bangladeshi migrant workers -- one of the main pillars of the nation's economy -- endured long hours of discomfort and humiliation at the airport, often standing for hours in overcrowded spaces with nowhere to rest before boarding their flights. Their families, who came from far-flung districts to bid farewell, shared similar hardships. But now, a wave of change has swept through the country's busiest airport. Two newly inaugurated facilities -- the Waiting Lounge and the Probashi Lounge -- are transforming the travel experience for migrant workers and their loved ones, offering them the comfort, respect, and dignity they deserve.

Both the facilities are the first of their kind at the Dhaka airport.

Waiting Lounge: No more standing around

Rozina Begum recalls her first trip to HSIA two years ago when her husband was flying to Saudi Arabia. "There was no proper place to sit, let alone rest. I stood outside the departure gate for two hours, waiting for him to go through the formalities," she shared. Like Rozina, many families of migrant workers faced similar ordeals, loitering around the airport in heat or rain, with no access to basic amenities.

But when Rozina returned to the airport recently to see off her son heading to Saudi Arabia, she was greeted by a vastly improved environment. A spacious waiting lounge on the first floor of the airport's multi-level car park now caters specifically to families like hers. "It's so much better now. There are seats, a prayer room, and even a small play area for children. It feels good," Rozina said with a smile.

Earlier, we were treated like orphans at the airport—no one cared about us. Now, everyone here treats us with respect, calling us 'sir.' It's such an honour.— Monirul Islam a migrant worker.

The Waiting Lounge, inaugurated on November 14 by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus who called the migrant workers "nation-builders", was developed through a collaboration between the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) and the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism. Located on the first floor of the airport's multi-level car park area, it offers a clean, quiet space for families to wait while their loved ones navigate the airport's departure procedures.

The lounge provides ample seating areas for visitors. Separate prayer rooms for men and women ensure a space for spiritual needs, while a baby-care room and breastfeeding facilities cater to parents with young children. A reasonably priced cafeteria serves snacks and refreshments, ensuring that migrant workers and their families do not have to pay extra during their wait.

Abul Kashem, supervisor of the café, said his team works round the clock in three shifts at the café to serve "our honourable migrant workers and their families". He said traditional meals like biryani and rice will be added to the menu soon, providing more affordable food options for visitors.

Additionally, efforts are underway to further enhance the lounge's facilities based on feedback from users.

For Anisur Rahman, who came from Brahmanbaria to see off his son, the lounge was a lifesaver. "We arrived seven hours before the flight. Without this space, the wait would have been unbearable. Here, I could rest, eat, and even take a shower," he said.

Migrant worker Md Sumon, who has been in Oman for 17 years and usually comes home every two years, said he had no idea about the new facilities before arriving at the airport. When he reached the arrival area volunteers told him about the waiting room and guided him and his family members there.

"The changes are assuring. The place is relatively hustle-free, secured and comfortable for spending some hours with family members before boarding the plane," he said.

Probashi Lounge: An exclusive area for migrant workers

Inside the departure terminal, another facility—the Probashi Lounge—caters exclusively to migrant workers. Sponsored by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), this lounge was inaugurated by the chief adviser on November 11. Accessible only after completing immigration formalities, it offers outbound workers a comfortable space to relax before their flights.

The lounge features 144 comfortable chairs, charging stations for electronic devices, and free Wi-Fi. There are also three large monitors inside the lounge to display flight information and other important messages to the migrant workers.

A subsidised café serves affordable meals and snacks, with items sourced from the Bangladesh Air Force bakery.

For workers like Humayun Kabir, who was waiting for his flight to Malaysia, the lounge was a welcome surprise. "The food prices here are reasonable, and the Wi-Fi allows me to stay connected with my family. It's a great way to pass the time before boarding," he said.

IOM is also sponsoring nearly 100 volunteers to help the migrant workers at the airport.

Voices of Gratitude

The changes at HSIA have been met with widespread appreciation from the migrant community.

Monirul Islam, who has been working in Malaysia for five years, was visibly moved by the facilities. "Earlier, we were treated like orphans at the airport—no one cared about us. Now, everyone here treats us with respect, calling us 'sir.' It's such an honour," he said, expressing his gratitude to the interim government.

Nazrul Islam, another migrant worker, echoed these sentiments. "This is the first time I've felt recognised for my contributions. The facilities here make me proud to be a remittance earner for my country," he said.

For many workers this correspondent talked to, it's a sign that their sacrifices are being acknowledged. "We work hard to support our families and the nation. These changes show that the government values our efforts," said Anwar Hossain, who was waiting in the Probashi Lounge for his flight to Saudi Arabia.

Building a Better Future

As Bangladesh continues to rely on remittances to stabilise its economy, it is only fitting that those driving this lifeline are given the respect they deserve. The Waiting Lounge and Probashi Lounge are a promising start to treating our overseas heroes right.

While these facilities bring much-needed comfort and pride to people like Rozina Begum, their late introduction highlights the long-standing neglect that the migrant workers faced. And a lot is yet to be done to make their stay overseas and travelling hassle-free.

Kamrul Islam, Executive Director of HSIA, agreed and said, for years, these "nation builders" were overlooked, their needs ignored in the very spaces they frequented most.

"We want to ensure that our migrant workers feel respected and valued. These lounges are just the beginning. Our goal is to make their travel experience as smooth and comfortable as possible," he said, emphasising the airport authority's commitment to honouring these workers.

And for workers like Md Sumon, these changes are meaningful. "This lounge is a symbol of respect. It's a reminder that we matter to the country we work so hard for," he said adding that the lounges mark a step in the right direction.​

 

[Saif]

Ctg port eyes record-high container, cargo handling this year

Container and cargo handling at Chattogram port, the main seaport of Bangladesh, could hit record highs this year after declining steeply in the two years prior, according to official data.

www.thedailystar.net

Ctg port eyes record-high container, cargo handling this year

Container and cargo handling at Chattogram port, the main seaport of Bangladesh, could hit record highs this year after declining steeply in the two years prior, according to official data.

Port officials and users said the rise in container and cargo handling is being driven by the recovery of foreign trade activities to some extent.

The country's foreign trade faced slowdowns over the past two years due to global crises like the Russia-Ukraine war and conflicts in the Middle East. Besides, domestic concerns such as the acute US dollar crunch and persisting higher inflation also played a part, they added.

Annual container handling at Chattogram port slumped by 2.92 percent year-on-year to 30.51 lakh twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in 2023.

However, it has already handled 29.92 lakh TEUs as of this November, indicating growth of 7.55 percent compared to the same period of last year.

The Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) prepared the data on container handling by tallying the number of import, export and empty containers that were loaded and unloaded at the port's main jetties, the Pangaon Inland Container Terminal in Keraniganj and Kamalapur Inland Container Depot in Dhaka.

With the volume of containers handled on just the first day of this month, the port has exceeded the 3 million TEUs of container throughput required to retain its place in the "Three Million Club".

As such, port officials now hope that container handling at the port this year could exceed its previous record of 32.15 lakh TEUs in 2021.

"Considering the average monthly volume of container handling so far, we are hopeful about achieving a record-high this year," said CPA Secretary Md Omar Faruk.

The average monthly container handling stands at 2.72 lakh TEUs, with February notching the lowest volume of 2.45 lakh TEUs.

Meanwhile, Chattogram port handled a total of 11.28 crore tonnes of cargo over the past 11 months, registering growth of about 2 percent year-on-year.

Faruk said the country's import-export activities have gained some pace this year, impacting the volume of container and cargo handling.

Syed M Arif, president of the Bangladesh Shipping Agents Association, said there was acute container congestion due to a backlog stemming from political unrest in the July-August period this year.

The congestion gradually eased in later months, when container and cargo handling sped up, he added.​

 

[Saif]

Ctg port can secure us from external meddling: Farhad Mazhar

Author Farhad Mazhar underscored the need for adopting a national policy to develop and operate the country’s main port, the Chattogram port, in a well-planned manner

www.thedailystar.net

Ctg port can secure us from external meddling: Farhad Mazhar
Says criticise interim govt, but unsettling it will not be wise

Author and Human Rights Activist Farhad Mazhar underscored the need for adopting a national policy to develop and operate the country's main port, the Chattogram port, in a well-planned manner.

He said, "If we can properly and efficiently use Chattogram port and can achieve economic development, I can assure you that we will be able to create a very stable geopolitical condition by developing economic relations with neighbouring regions like Tripura, Meghalaya, West Bengal and Nepal."

"And then external enemies will not be able to weaken us so easily," he said while addressing as convener at a view exchange meeting titled "Unlocking the Future: Strategies for Enhancing Chittagong Port's Capacity" yesterday afternoon.

Bandar Surokkha Committee, a newly formed platform organised the meeting at Chattogram Circuit House.

Mazhar urged to formulate a national policy regarding the development and capacity enhancement of Chattogram Port by taking opinions from all sections of people including port users, staff and workers.

Every citizen is a stakeholder here and has the right to give opinions and play a role in the development of the port since popular sovereignty is the main spirit of the July revolution, Mazhar said.

The national policy would determine how Bangladesh as a sovereign state would survive politically and economically and achieve economic development and what would be the role of Chattogram port in this regard, he said.

Addressing the students, Mazhar said the Yunus-led government is the result of the July uprising and it would not be wise to make this government unstable.

"It is our duty to criticise Dr Yunus and his government. However, we cannot afford to unstable this government or create anarchy," he said.

Port users, officials and coordinators of Anti-Discrimination Student Movement also spoke at the meeting.

Md Zafar Alam, former member of the Chittagong Port Authority, said the Bay Terminal project of the port could not make progress in the last ten years due to external opposition and internal inefficiency in policy making.

"Initially we wanted China would be a part of the Bay Terminal project. Immediately a 400 million loan was allocated under the 3rd tranche of the Indian Line of Credit (LoC III). But the loan was imaginary and we could not move forward. Then we dropped China and the project stalled," Zafar said.

Bangladesh Feight Forward Association Vice President Khairul Alam Suzan urged that the Bay Terminal project should be expedited as the existing jetties of the port are much older and the proposed project site is closer to the Bay and all hinterland facilities.​

 

[Saif]

Bangladesh Shipping Corporation to buy 2 bulk carriers with own fund

Says Shipping Adviser Sakhawat

www.thedailystar.net

Bangladesh Shipping Corporation to buy 2 bulk carriers with own fund
Says Shipping Adviser Sakhawat

Sakhawat Hussain. Photo: Star

Bangladesh Shipping Corporation is set to purchase two bulk vessels on its own fund, said Shipping Adviser Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hussain today.

The BSC board has already taken a decision in this regard and working fast to this end, said the adviser, also the chairman of BSC Board.

He said the BSC has made repayment of a loan worth around Tk 500 crore to the government thanks to the shareholders which is an example for any government institution of the country.

The shipping adviser was addressing as the chair at the 47th annual general meeting (AGM) of the state-owned entity at Chittagong Boat Club this afternoon. BSC Managing Director Mahmudul Malek was present at the meeting.

Mentioning that BSC is earning profit by operating only five vessels currently, the adviser said the government has plan to expand the BSC fleet.

Currently the BSC is in a process to purchase four vessels with a Chinese loan.

He said the government is taking steps for foreign direct investment in Chittagong port aiming to turn it into a world-class port.

Different Middle-East countries have already offered to invest around USD 1.8 billion in Chattogram and other sea ports in the country, said Sakhawat.

The World Bank is waiting to invest USD 650 million in the proposed Bay Terminal project of Chittagong Port, he added.

If foreign investments come in the port, the workers of Chattogram region would get more jobs, he said assuring that with foreign investment the current port workers would get higher pay scale than the present.​

 

[Bilal9]

Bangladesh Shipping Corporation to buy 2 bulk carriers with own fund

Says Shipping Adviser Sakhawat

www.thedailystar.net

Bangladesh Shipping Corporation to buy 2 bulk carriers with own fund
Says Shipping Adviser Sakhawat

View attachment 11962
Sakhawat Hussain. Photo: Star

Bangladesh Shipping Corporation is set to purchase two bulk vessels on its own fund, said Shipping Adviser Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hussain today.

The BSC board has already taken a decision in this regard and working fast to this end, said the adviser, also the chairman of BSC Board.

He said the BSC has made repayment of a loan worth around Tk 500 crore to the government thanks to the shareholders which is an example for any government institution of the country.

The shipping adviser was addressing as the chair at the 47th annual general meeting (AGM) of the state-owned entity at Chittagong Boat Club this afternoon. BSC Managing Director Mahmudul Malek was present at the meeting.

Mentioning that BSC is earning profit by operating only five vessels currently, the adviser said the government has plan to expand the BSC fleet.

Currently the BSC is in a process to purchase four vessels with a Chinese loan.

He said the government is taking steps for foreign direct investment in Chittagong port aiming to turn it into a world-class port.

Different Middle-East countries have already offered to invest around USD 1.8 billion in Chattogram and other sea ports in the country, said Sakhawat.

The World Bank is waiting to invest USD 650 million in the proposed Bay Terminal project of Chittagong Port, he added.

If foreign investments come in the port, the workers of Chattogram region would get more jobs, he said assuring that with foreign investment the current port workers would get higher pay scale than the present.​

I believe the private bulk carrier fleet in Bangladesh for a country of its size is rather large now - but more Bangladesh-flagged bulkers and tankers need to be added. There were quite a few tankers and cargo carriers ordered from Chinese yards by private conglomerates like HRC and Meghna (MGI) recently, more are being planned.

HRC has 9 container feeder vessels currently, with a total capacity of 4995 TEUs, and is actively running feeder service for Bangladesh containers to/from Chittagong/Mongla ports and the international transshipment ports of Singapore, Port Klang, Tanjung Pelepas and Colombo.

Meghna (MGI) is more involved in bulk and tanker shipping - and their fleet is now composed of rather large bulk carriers, half a dozen of them upwards of 50,000 DWT capacity. Last year, MGI introduced 4 brand new Ultramax Dry Bulk Carriers - which were built by a joint venture company of Japan & China named JIANGSU YANGZI-MITSUI SHIPBUILDING CO. LTD. The capacity of each of these Ultramax Ocean Going Vessels is 66,000 DWT. These are, M.V. Meghna Victory, M.V. Meghna Prestige, M.V. Meghna Hope and M.V. Meghna Progress.

This is Meghna Victory

The one shown below is a newer Supramax bulker owned by AKIJ Shipping - another local shipping line

 

[Bilal9]

Govt pushes for 2025 launch of Ctg Bay Terminal project​

The project involves multiple supporting projects. The proposal for a key side project to construct a seven-km navigational access channel and a six-km breakwater will be finalised and approved by 25 December​

Infographics: TBS

Infographics: TBS

The government is planning to start the construction of the Bay Terminal at Chattogram Port next year, a landmark project anticipated to boost the capacity of the country's main trade gateway by up to sixfold.

The project involves multiple supporting projects. The proposal for a key side project to construct a seven-km navigational access channel and a six-km breakwater will be finalised and approved by 25 December. Other proposals are also in the making, according to a decision made during a special meeting chaired by Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed yesterday (12 December).

Sources present in the meeting told TBS that the access channel proposal will be presented for final approval at the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) meeting in the first half of January 2025.

A breakwater is a coastal structure designed to protect a port from waves and storms and a navigational access channel is a dredged path that allows ships to safely approach and leave a port. This supporting project will pave the way for the construction of three terminals under the main project.

In June this year, the World Bank approved a $650 million loan to fund this side project and the government is eager to prepare the DPP quickly to sign the loan agreement.

Adviser to the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges and the Ministry of Railways Fouzul Kabir Khan, Adviser to the Ministry of Shipping Brig Gen (Retd) M Sakhawat Hossain and key officials from relevant ministries were present in the meeting held at the Finance Division.

Fauzul Kabir Khan told TBS that the World Bank board has already approved a loan for the side project. The government had intended to sign the loan agreement by December, but this has been delayed. Plans are now in place to finalise the agreement as soon as possible.

Further steps have also been taken to accelerate the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) activities related to the main project. The Roads and Railways ministries have been instructed to speed up their respective side projects for the terminal, he said.

With the ECNEC approval expected in January, project implementation will also begin next year, Fouzul Kabir added.

A senior official from the Economic Relations Division (ERD), speaking anonymously, told TBS, "The government is quickly preparing the proposal to secure the World Bank loan on time. The global lender has been urging for the agreement signing and is highly interested in the project. It even offered to finance Terminal 3 which the Chittagong Port Authority plans to construct with its own funding."

Terminals 1 and 2 will be constructed under the PPP modality.

"There is considerable interest from various other foreign companies looking to be involved in this project," he added.

In 2013, the previous Awami League government decided to expand Chattogram Port's capacity by constructing the bay terminal. That same year, a pre-feasibility study was conducted by the German firm Hamburg Port Consulting.

In 2017, a decision was made to carry out a detailed feasibility study and master plan. Following this, in 2021, a Korean company Kunhwa was awarded a work order to conduct the feasibility study and master plan. The final feasibility study was submitted to the Chittagong Port Authority.

Based on the feasibility study, the Port Authority estimated the total cost of constructing the entire bay terminal, which includes three terminals, access channels, and breakwaters, at $2.8 billion.

Of this amount, $609.44 million is allocated for each of Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, while the construction of Terminal 3 is expected to cost $755.11 million. Additionally, $831 million will be spent on other works, including the side project for the navigational access channel and breakwater.

Terminal 3 will be implemented by the Chittagong Port Authority with its own funding, while the remaining two terminals will be developed under the PPP models.

According to finance ministry sources, PSA Singapore has shown interest in implementing one of the terminals, though a final decision on their involvement has not yet been made. PSA is one of the largest port operators globally, with terminals in 26 countries, including deep-sea, rail, and inland facilities.

The government has also decided in principle to appoint DP World, a UAE-based company, to develop another terminal. Established in 2005 through the merger of Dubai Port Authority and Dubai Ports International, DP World now operates 77 marine and inland terminals across 40 countries.

A Chittagong Port Authority official said, "The decision to appoint DP World and PSA Singapore is in a preliminary stage. Further negotiations are planned, with Ernst & Young, a UK-based company, appointed as the transaction advisor for the negotiation."

The Bay Terminal project also includes two key supporting projects: the construction of a 7 km access road and a 6.71 km rail track.

The Road Transport and Highways Division is responsible for the road construction, having already prepared and submitted the project's proposal to the Planning Commission. The Asian Development Bank will provide funding for this portion of the project.

Meanwhile, the proposal for the railway construction has not yet been finalised.

Project Overview

The CPA developed the Strategic Master Plan in 2013, funded by ADB and prepared by Hamburg Port Consulting, which recommended the immediate initiation of the Bay Terminal project. A preliminary feasibility study was also conducted by the same company in 2017.

The project was approved as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on 4 August 2019.

According to projections, Bangladesh's container handling capacity will need to increase to 6.3 million TEUs by 2030, 8.6 million TEUs by 2035, and 11.5 million TEUs by 2040.

The CPA expects to handle approximately 12.9 million tonnes of cargo by 2027, with this number rising to 17.08 million tonnes by 2040.

Currently, the CPA operates as a river-based feeder port with limitations on vessel length, draft, and tide conditions, handling ships up to 190 meters in length, 9.5 meters in draft, and 2400 TEU capacity.

Ships often experience a three-day waiting time, which incurs an additional cost of $45,000. In contrast, the Bay Terminal will accommodate vessels of 300 meters in length, 11.5 meters in draft, and 4800 TEUs, operating 24/7, unaffected by tide conditions, thus reducing costs and increasing efficiency.

A game changer

The Bay Terminal is critical for accommodating future demand and supporting foreign direct investments (FDIs), export/import activities, and national development.

The total investment required for the Bay Terminal is estimated at nearly $3 billion, with $2.4 billion provided by global International Terminal Operators (ITOs) such as PSA, DP World, and AD Ports. The World Bank and all ITOs have expressed strong interest in investing in the project, which will also encourage future FDI.

The project will create approximately 13,500 jobs, which is highly needed in the current economic climate. Additionally, the Bay Terminal will be strategically located to improve logistics efficiency, connecting the Dhaka-Chattogram highway, inland water transport, and railways.

By 2040, as the lifespans of Chittagong Container Terminal (CCT) and New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) end, the Bay Terminal will meet the growing demands of Chattogram.

Furthermore, it will be Bangladesh's first Green Port, with 30% of the area dedicated to forestation, far exceeding the 51 acres planned by the Department of Forest.

Overall, the Bay Terminal is poised to be a game changer for Bangladesh, boosting exports and providing modern, cost-effective terminal facilities that enhance speed and efficiency.