Play store
Construction of Bangladesh’s first deep-sea port at Matarbari is progressing rapidly, with the project targeting full-scale operations by 2029, officials said.
The port is expected to ease pressure on Chattogram Port and play a major role in expanding Bangladesh’s international trade. It will be capable of handling large vessels with capacities of 8,000 to 10,000 TEUs and lengths of around 230 metres, reducing both transportation time and costs.
The information was disclosed at a programme marking World Maritime Day 2026 at Hotel InterContinental in Dhaka on Sunday (September 27). The Department of Shipping organised the event, with this year’s theme being “From policy to implementation: Achieving excellence in the maritime sector.”
Officials said Chattogram Port currently handles around 3.4 million TEUs of containers annually. An additional capacity of nearly four million TEUs is expected to be required in the future, and the Matarbari deep-sea port will help meet that demand.
The port is expected to significantly strengthen Bangladesh’s capacity and position in international trade.
Shipping Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam said the government was working with specific targets to develop the country’s blue economy.
“Despite having enormous potential in the maritime sector, we have not been able to fully utilise it for a long time,” he said, adding that the government was working to overcome existing challenges and move forward.
He said priority was being given to modernising ports, introducing automated systems, expanding digitalisation and reducing cargo clearance times.
The government would also continue investing in training, certification and professional development of Bangladeshi seafarers, the minister said.
Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Khandker Mesbah-ul-Azim stressed that the potential of the blue economy could not be fully realised without ensuring maritime security.
He called for stronger protection of Bangladesh’s maritime boundaries, greater information sharing and improved coordination among relevant agencies.
The conference also highlighted plans to develop an integrated multimodal transport system by utilising nearly 6,000 kilometres of inland waterways in Bangladesh.
Officials said 24 ship-recycling yards in Bangladesh had achieved international standards following the implementation of the Hong Kong International Convention, while another 20 yards were undergoing certification.
The country also reaffirmed its commitment to reducing greenhouse-gas emissions by promoting environmentally friendly, low-carbon fuels and maintaining international standards in the maritime sector.
Shipping Ministry Secretary Zakaria, Department of Shipping Director General Commodore Md Shafiul Bari, senior government officials, representatives of port authorities and other maritime-sector stakeholders attended the programme.
