Japan to fund Matarbari Deep Sea Port as part of strategic deal
Staff Reporter :
Brigadier General (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain, adviser to the Ministry of Shipping, has described the construction of the Matarbari Deep Sea Port as a transformative project that will open new opportunities for international commerce and significantly boost Bangladesh’s economy.
Speaking at the agreement signing ceremony for the Matarbari Port Development Project, held at Le Meridien Hotel in Dhaka on Tuesday, Hossain emphasised that the project represents not just a major infrastructure endeavour but also a strategic milestone for the country’s future.
“This is a leap forward for Bangladesh – a game-changer for our economic growth,” he remarked.
The development is a joint effort between the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Chattogram Port Authority (CPA), with the agreement formally signed by CPA Chairman Rear Admiral SM Moniruzzaman and Tomokazu Hasegawa, General Manager of Penta Ocean Construction Company Limited.
The signing ceremony was attended by key figures, including the Chief of Naval Staff, the Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping, Japanese Embassy representatives, and senior JICA officials.
Sakhawat explained that the Matarbari Deep Sea Port would significantly enhance the country’s ability to handle larger vessels – up to 100,000 DWT – alleviating pressure on existing port infrastructure.
“This project will improve logistics efficiency, reduce congestion, and establish direct connections to emerging industrial hubs in Cox’s Bazar and Moheshkhali. Over time, it will position Bangladesh as a regional trans-shipment and energy gateway,” he added.
Highlighting Japan’s crucial support, Sakhawat underscored JICA’s role in providing technical guidance, financing, and capacity building to make the project a reality.
The first phase of the development, referred to as “Package 1”, will involve the construction of a 300-metre multipurpose berth for vessels up to 200 metres in length, alongside a 460-metre container berth for ships up to 350 metres. Additional infrastructure will include terminals, administrative buildings, sea walls, land reclamation, dredging, solar power systems, and other essential facilities.
Once completed, the port will provide around 5,100 container ground slots and accommodate vessels with a 14.5-metre draft and up to 300 metres in length, enabling ships to carry approximately 8,200 TEUs.
By 2029, annual container throughput is expected to range from 0.6 million to 1.1 million TEUs, with capacity set to increase to between 2.2 million and 2.6 million TEUs by 2041.