Photo: BSS

By S M Zahid Hossain

KHULNA, May 06, 2025 (BSS) – Mongla Port, the second largest seaport of the country, will be turned into a regional hub by implementing China-funded development scheme, experts, port users and stakeholders of the seaport expected.

Experts made this observation after Bangladesh and China signed an agreement to implement a major infrastructure development project titled “Expansion and Development of Mongla Port Facilities,” aimed at enhancing the operational capacity of the country’s second largest seaport and transforming it into a regional maritime hub.

Besides, officials said capacity of the port is expected to increase significantly upon completion of the project approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on February 2 this year.

Later, on March 25, a contract was signed between the Mongla Port Authority (MPA) and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) for implementation of the project on a Government-to-Government (G2G) basis, Md Makruzzaman, Deputy Director (DD) of the MPA confirmed.

Due to improved connectivity with Dhaka, Mongla Port has witnessed increased interest among importers and exporters in the recent years. To overcome limitations such as shortage of jetties and inadequate infrastructure, the government has set a target to complete the project by December 2028, he said.

The total cost of the project has been estimated at Taka 4,068.22 crore, of which Taka 475.32 crore will be financed by the Government of Bangladesh while the remaining Taka 3,592.90 crore will come as a loan from the Chinese Government.

Talking to BSS, Chief Planning Officer of the MPA Md Zahirul Haque said that the project will include the construction of two container jetties, each 368 metres in length, along with a modern container terminal, delivery yard, multi-storied car yard, sunken wreck removal system, improvement of the main road, and sheet piling works.

In addition, an 87,600 square metre loaded container yard, 34,170 square metre empty container yard, and 4,260 square metre hazardous cargo handling yard will be constructed.

The port will also be equipped with modern cargo handling equipment and an automated operational system, including Bangladesh’s first unmanned crane system for cargo unloading.

Once implemented, the project will increase Mongla Port’s annual cargo handling capacity to 15 million metric tonnes. The port’s container handling capacity is expected to rise from 150,000 TEUs to 400,000 TEUs, he said.

“This will significantly improve the port’s efficiency, operational capacity, and regional importance, thereby reducing turnaround time and facilitating smoother import-export activities,” he added.

Economists have welcomed the initiative, terming it a positive step toward strengthening the regional economy.

While talking to BSS, Dr Md Samiul Haque, Professor and Researcher at Khulna University said that the investment will not only improve infrastructure but also enhance Bangladesh’s economic and strategic capabilities.

“The project would help deepen bilateral economic and commercial ties between Bangladesh and China, while also strengthening the country's strategic position in the region,” he said.

On the other hand, modern commercial infrastructure in the coastal belt would attract both domestic and foreign investments, eventually turning Mongla into a key economic hub in the south, he said.

Rear Admiral Shahin Rahman, Chairman of Mongla Port Authority, told BSS that the implementation of the expansion and modernization of the Mongla Port facilities project would enable the port to achieve container handling capability and transform it into an automated port.

The project aligns with the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority’s (BIDA) plans to introduce automated systems to facilitate investment and operational efficiency, he said.

“Now the viability of the Port increased to a great extent and it is very hopeful. The infrastructures of the Port are well developed and side by side, the capacity of the port was also increased,” he said.

He said that if the project of the port is completed within the scheduled time the economy of the localities (south-western region) will be more developed.

The Chairman added, that the export-import now prefers to use Mongla Port after the opening of the Padma Bridge for traffic and it (port) was linked with railways after the installation of the most modern and new equipment at the port and consequently, it takes less time to load and unload of goods from the ships.

As a result, the arrival of commercial ships at the port was increased to a great extent.

Contacted, Sayed Zahid Hossain, President of Mongla Port Birth and Ship-operators’ Association said, that the importance of the Port will be increased after completing the development project.

He added though Mongla Sea Port has faced various untoward challenges in the past, it has now become a modern and profitable Port.

While talking to BSS, Advocate Babul Howlader, member secretary of Khulna Civic Society, a citizen forum, said, “I applaud our country’s agreement with China for the development of the Mongla Sea Port. However, the government should keep an eye on China so that China does not work only for their interests. The people of this region should be involved in the work.”

According to the agreement, if the work is done properly, there will be a massive development of the Monga Port.

Established in 1950 on the eastern bank of the Pashur River near the Sundarbans, Mongla Port currently has five jetties and 22 anchorage points with the capacity to accommodate 47 vessels simultaneously.