CPA, Japan’s Penta Ocean Construction ink deal to build Matarbari Deep Sea Port
The port will unlock new horizons for international Trade, says the shipping adviser
Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) today (22 April) signed an agreement with two Japanese firms over Matarbari Deep Sea Port, the country's only deep sea port in the Bay of Bengal.
The agreement signing ceremony was held at Le Meridien Hotel in Dhaka.
CPA signed the deal with Japan's Penta-Ocean Construction Co Ltd and TOA Corporation.
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The event was attended by the Chief of Naval Staff, the Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping, representatives from the Japanese Embassy, and senior officials from JICA. The project will be jointly financed by JICA and CPA.
Speaking at the event, Brigadier General (Retd) M Sakhawat Hossain, adviser on Shipping and Labour and Employment Affairs, stated that the upcoming Matarbari Deep Sea Port would open new horizons for international trade and transform Bangladesh's economic landscape.
"This is more than just an infrastructure project—it's a strategic investment in the future of Bangladesh," the adviser said.
Sakhawat highlighted that the Matarbari Deep Sea Port would significantly enhance the nation's capacity to handle large vessels—up to 1,00,000 DWT—while reducing congestion at existing ports.
"It will streamline the supply chain and provide direct access to the emerging industrial belt in Cox's Bazar and Moheshkhali. Ultimately, this will position Bangladesh as a key energy and transshipment hub in the region," he said.
He emphasised the critical role of Japanese government support and JICA's contribution in making the project a reality.
Under "Package 1" of the project, the development will include a 300-metre-long multipurpose berth for ships up to 200 metres in length, a 460-metre-long container berth for vessels up to 350 metres, construction and installation of terminals, buildings and pavement.
It will also include sea walls, retaining walls, boundary walls, land development, dredging, land reclamation, utilities, emergency power systems, solar energy components, and other supporting infrastructure.
Once operational, the port will feature approximately 5,100 ground slots for container storage. It will be capable of accommodating container ships with a draft of 14.5 metres and lengths of up to 300 metres, handling around 8,200 TEUs per ship.
By 2029, the port is expected to handle between 6 and 11 lakh TEUs annually, with capacity projected to reach 22 to 26 lakh TEUs by 2041.
