Govt expects Payra Port to be fully operational by year end: Minister

Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam has said the government has taken comprehensive steps to make Payra Port fully operational by this year as core activities are expected to be completed by December next.

Replying to scripted question in the House on Wednesday from ruling party lawmaker ABM Mosharraf Hossain (Patuakhali-4), Rabiul said a techno-economic feasibility study of the port was conducted in 2015 by UK-based consultant HR Wallingford, marking the first initiative to build a seaport in Bangladesh after independence.

He said land acquisition and rehabilitation of affected people began in 2016, while two major long-term projects—construction of the port’s first terminal and development of road and bridge connectivity—were undertaken in 2019.

“The two projects are scheduled for completion in July and December this year respectively,” he said.

The Minister said construction of a 1,180-metre four-lane bridge over the Andharmanik River and a 6.35-kilometre six-lane terminal access road connecting the port to the Dhaka–Kuakata highway is now nearing completion and is expected to be finished by December 2026.

“Once these works are completed, the port is expected to go into full operation by end this year,” he added.

However, he noted that the Rabnabad Channel—the main navigational route to the port—currently lacks sufficient depth for commercial vessels. Due to high sedimentation, continuous dredging of the channel will be required, he said.

The minister said, the government is considering a two-year project for dredging and procurement of two trailing suction hopper dredgers (TSHDs), he added.

Highlighting the significance of the port, the minister said around 96% of the country’s maritime trade is currently handled by Chattogram Port.

To manage the growing volume of foreign trade and ensure a strategic alternative in emergency situations, development of Payra Port is essential, he said.

He added that two coal-based power plants with a combined capacity of 2,640 megawatts have already been established in the Payra area.

It’s necessary to make the port operational for handling of coals imported for the power plants, he said.

The port is also expected to accelerate industrialisation, employment generation and socio-economic development in the country’s south-central region, he said.

Rabiul said under infrastructure development, 5,900.99 acres of land have been acquired and rehabilitation work is in its final stage.

Besides, a master plan has been prepared jointly by Royal HaskoningDHV of the Netherlands and BUET. Seven support vessels have been procured, and construction of 100,000 square metres of warehouse facilities has been completed, he said.

Under the first terminal project, a 650-metre jetty and a 3.25 lakh square metre backup yard have been completed, allowing berthing of three 200-metre vessels simultaneously.

He said a 100-metre service jetty, container freight station, car yard, and necessary cargo-handling equipment have also been installed. In addition, terminal buildings, substations, and communication network infrastructure have been set up, along with a Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS).

Regarding operational readiness, the Minister said customs and shipping facilities have been established, while a smart access management system has been introduced in compliance with the ISPS Code.

“A gazette to impose a reasonable levy on vessels to meet dredging costs is now at the final stage,” he said.

The Minister further said several projects are awaiting approval, including maintenance dredging of the Rabnabad Channel and procurement of two hopper dredgers, construction of housing and utility facilities for port officials and staff, and development of an ICT-based port operating system.

He added that following implementation of the dredging project, the port is expected to handle vessels up to 220 metres in length, 10.5 metres draft and 45,000 metric tonnes capacity by 2027–28.