CPA Chairman Rear Admiral SM Moniruzzaman spoke a a press briefing following a meeting about the Bay Terminal at the port's Shaheed Md. Fazlur Rahman Auditorium this afternoon. Photo: BSS

CHATTOGRAM, Nov 3, 2025 (BSS) - Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) Chairman Rear Admiral SM Moniruzzaman said CPA has a target to put Bay Terminal's ‘Terminal-1’ into operation by 2030.  

“Achieving this target is feasible if the authorities concerned can start construction on the first terminal of the Bay Terminal project by the middle of next year,” said SM Moniruzzaman during a press briefing following a meeting about the Bay Terminal at the port's Shaheed Md. Fazlur Rahman Auditorium this afternoon.  

The port chairman emphasized that all the projects that have been undertaken will strictly follow the Public Private Partnership guidelines, achieving 100% compliance. He expressed optimism about the progress made, stating that he hopes to present a success story in the coming months. 

When asked about the capabilities of the multipurpose terminal, SM Moniruzzaman explained that it is equipped to handle two types of ships: containers and general cargoes. 

“Gear vessels are being raised gradually. We need to consider the possibility of operating gearless vessels in our terminal to stay competitive in the future. Making practical decisions is crucial for maintaining optimal efficiency in this terminal," he emphasized. 

The port chairman highlighted that top consulting firms are involved in the projects to assess market potential, financial viability, social impact, and environmental considerations. 

“We hope that the projects we will take will be a source of pride for our nation. Our goal is to create a project that can withstand major disasters and stand the test of time. This world-class project will enable us to send ships directly to Europe from the Bay Terminal. Our vision for Bangladesh is to become a regional manufacturing hub, but to achieve this, we need a secure market," the Port Chairman said.  

To ensure continuous 24-hour channel operation, efficient global compliance, and the operation of large ships, he said the construction of Bay Terminal is essential. Once Bay Terminal is established, it will attract a significant influx of manufacturing investments into Bangladesh. Major global companies are already expressing interest to investing in the country. 

“The absence of Bay Terminal is currently causing us to incur a daily loss of $1 million, which amounts to a substantial loss over three years. The construction of Bay Terminal will not only help us recover these losses but also unlock our country's vast potentials, he added.