Matarbari Port to Enable Direct Mother Vessel Calls

Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam on Monday said the under-construction Matarbari Deep Seaport in Cox’s Bazar is set to transform Bangladesh’s maritime trade by allowing large mother vessels to call directly at a domestic port, significantly reducing reliance on foreign transhipment hubs.

Replying to a question from Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami MP Md Nurul Islam in Parliament, the minister said construction of the deep seaport is progressing with the aim of commencing operations in 2029.

He said the port will include a modern container terminal and a navigational channel with a depth of around 16 metres, enabling it to handle container vessels carrying up to 8,200 Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) or cargo ships of up to 100,000 deadweight tonnes (DWTs).

According to the minister, the facility will be capable of accommodating vessels nearly four times larger than those currently handled at Chattogram Port.

Rabiul Alam said the deep seaport would substantially reduce Bangladesh’s dependence on transhipment centres such as Colombo, Singapore and Port Klang, lowering shipping costs and shortening transit times for importers and exporters.

He said the project would create new opportunities for international trade by making cargo transportation faster, more efficient and cost-effective, while strengthening Bangladesh’s competitiveness in global markets.

The minister also expressed optimism that Matarbari would emerge as a major regional maritime hub, facilitating trade and transit for neighbouring countries and enhancing regional economic cooperation.

Highlighting existing challenges, he said the depth of the Karnaphuli Channel currently ranges between 8.5 and 10 metres, limiting the size of vessels that can enter Chattogram Port. At present, the port can accommodate ships with drafts of up to 10 metres and an average capacity of around 3,000 TEUs, while vessel movements remain dependent on tidal conditions.

To improve efficiency, the government has undertaken several initiatives, including efforts to launch direct shipping services between Chattogram Port and destinations in Europe, the Americas and the Middle East.

The minister said around 80 percent of container unloading and delivery operations at Chattogram Port have already been digitalised, with work underway to complete the remaining 20 percent.

He also noted that the Patenga Container Terminal is now being operated by Saudi Arabia-based Red Sea Gateway Terminal under a government-to-government agreement.

Construction of both the Matarbari Deep Seaport and the Bay Terminal is progressing, he said, adding that once completed, the facilities will be able to accommodate vessels with drafts of 12 to 14 metres and significantly reduce waiting times through direct berthing.

The government is also encouraging the delivery of import containers through private inland container depots and off-docks, while plans are underway to auction more than 10,000 TEUs of long-staying containers to free up yard space and accelerate cargo handling.

In coordination with the National Board of Revenue, authorities are introducing a pre-arrival customs clearance system to facilitate faster release of imported goods before vessels arrive at port, the minister added.

He expressed confidence that the phased implementation of these measures would improve port productivity, lower logistics costs and strengthen Bangladesh’s position in international trade.