Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) Chairman Rear Admiral SM Muniruzzaman has said that the much-awaited Bay Terminal of Chittagong Port will go into operation by 2030. This terminal will be built taking into account the needs of the next 100 years. It will be a game changer for the country's economy. Which will take Chittagong Port to the ranks of world-class ports. There will be diversification in product exports. It will open the door to foreign investment. If this terminal is launched, a new era will begin in the economy, trade and import-export sectors of Bangladesh.
He gave this information as the chief guest in his speech at the "General Market Engagement Conference for the Bay Terminal Marine Infrastructure Development Project (BTMIDP)" held at the Port Auditorium on Monday afternoon.
He said that the most important mega project of Chittagong Port, Bay Terminal is showing the way to implementation by overcoming all the complications. The design and preparatory work of the Bay Terminal construction project is almost at the final stage. The government and the port authority have already completed initial discussions with domestic and foreign contracting companies.nInfrastructure Investment Facilitation Company (IIFC) has also been appointed as a transaction advisor. Tenders for the construction of the Bay Terminal's breakwater and access channel will be invited in June next year. If all activities progress properly, we hope to start work in June next year. There will also be a radical change in the country's overall economy.
Chittagong Port (Engineering) Commodore Kawsar Rashid said that the needs of all stakeholders, including all stakeholders of Chittagong Port, should be implemented quickly. Under the project, in addition to the construction of breakwaters and navigation channels in the sea, rail and road connections, container yards, jetties and modern service infrastructure will be built in the terminal area. The 'Bay Terminal Marine Infrastructure Development Project' will be implemented from April 2025 to June 2031. The project will be built in the Anandabazar area of North Halishahar in the city.
Representatives of potential domestic and foreign contractors of the project, leaders of port user organizations, engineers and officials of the Planning Commission were present at the event.
The speakers said that if the Bay Terminal is successfully implemented, Bangladesh will develop into one of the logistics hubs of regional trade and the century-old tradition of Chittagong Port will reach new heights.
The concerned parties including the World Bank's country manager expressed satisfaction with the progress of the project.
