Country set to get its first Ocean Satellite Ground Station

Highlights:

• Bangladesh building first ocean satellite station for real-time coastal data
• Enables cyclone forecasts within 15 minutes using Chinese satellite data
• Reduces reliance on foreign agencies for weather and marine forecasts
• Supports sustainable fishing, oil exploration, and marine resource management

To enhance Bangladesh's own capabilities in predicting natural disasters, the country has begun construction of its first Ocean Satellite Ground Station, which will allow real-time data collection from Chinese satellites, with the Bay of Bengal as the central focus. 

The station will be able to collect and model detailed information about the coastal region within 10 to 15 minutes, enabling faster and more reliable forecasting. It will also play a key role in managing marine resources.

According to officials, the project is being jointly implemented by the University of Chittagong and China's Second Institute of Oceanography. The Tk70 crore project is based in the university's Faculty of Marine Sciences, with the Chinese institution contributing Tk60 crore worth of technical and mechanical support. The university will operate the station with its own personnel, researchers, security management and in-kind services.

In December last year, the University of Chittagong signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China's Second Institute of Oceanography. The ground station's construction was officially started on 26 March this year at the Faculty of Marine Sciences.

To get forecasts of cyclones and storm surges, Bangladesh currently relies on satellite data from foreign institutions like  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) of the United States, and India Meteorological Department (IMD). 

It takes 20–30 hours to analyse the data received from these institutions to deliver forecasts — a time-consuming and dependent process.

Project coordinators stated that once completed, the target is for Bangladesh to achieve financial self-sufficiency by 2035, transform into South Asia's leading marine data hub, and become a climate adaptation role model. "SGSMRS 2035 Master Plan" is being developed, which will support attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by aligning with China's Belt and Road Initiative.

Dr Mohammad Muslem Uddin, professor of oceanography at the university and project coordinator, told The Business Standard, "The station will bring significant changes to Bangladesh's cyclone and storm surge forecasting. Currently, the country relies on foreign satellite data, which is time-consuming."

"It will use China's HY-1C/D and FY-4B satellites to analyse sea surface temperature, wind speed, and cloud movement, providing warnings 48–72 hours in advance. This will reduce dependency on foreign organisations and increase local data processing capability, ultimately strengthening our forecasting systems," he added.

A contract has been signed with China Harbor Engineering Company Limited for project implementation. Officials expect the station's construction and installation to be completed within this year, with operations beginning soon after.

Supporting the Blue Economy

There is currently no effective system to identify potential fishing zones in the Bay of Bengal. Experts say that once the ground station is operational, it will enable real-time data collection and analysis on sea surface temperature, salinity, current speed, and chlorophyll concentration. 

This will improve cyclone tracking, coastal flood modeling, and climate change monitoring. Fishing zones can be reorganised and specified, helping to identify ideal fishing areas and ensuring sustainable fishery resource management. Furthermore, temperature and salinity data can assist in oil and gas exploration, contributing to SDG-14.

"Countries like Pakistan, India, and others already have ocean satellite ground stations, which they use for marine resource management. We are lagging behind. If Bangladesh can gather and analyze necessary data through modern technology and continuous monitoring of its portion of the Bay of Bengal, we can make significant progress in marine economic development in a short time," Professor Mohammad Muslem Uddin added, saying, "The project will also enable our graduates and faculty to work with renewed purpose."

According to project documents, once the new technology is in place, it will support local seaports, airports, airlines, and other relevant agencies with information, forecasts, warnings, and advisory services. 

It will also supply specific data for the Delta Plan and help prepare IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) reports on climate change. With continuous observation systems, it will also serve as a vital hub for international research organisations.

The station's funding model includes selling high-resolution data packages to international research bodies, offering data subscription services (DaaS) to fisheries, energy, and shipping companies, and allocating funds from the national budget. Additionally, subscription fees may be collected for training programs and SMS-based fishing zone alerts.

Future plans for the project include a sandwich programme for Bangladeshi scientists and engineers to enhance the institutional capacity as well as to create an expert pool trained in China. Curriculum integration will also be done with local universities.

There are also plans to modernise the technology through AI integration, machine learning-based cyclone prediction models, quantum computing readiness, and constructing a second data center in Cox's Bazar. 

Strategic partnerships are being planned, including a weather information supply agreement with Biman Bangladesh Airlines, a dual-use agreement with Bangabandhu Satellite-2, and efforts to attract private investment.

By drafting a National Satellite Policy 2026, ocean data will be declared a "strategic asset" with a special protocol for data export control. A Fisherman Alert System is also planned as a part of social responsibility, providing SMS-based alerts and digital literacy programmes for coastal fishermen.

Professor Dr Md Kamal Uddin, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) of the University of Chittagong, told TBS, "Once implemented, this project will make the country's weather and marine forecasting sectors self-reliant. Alongside strengthening disaster forecasting, the Ocean Satellite Ground Station will play a vital role in the development of Bangladesh's marine economy."