Shipping Adviser Brigadier General (Retd) Dr M Sakhawat Hossain has announced that the government is finalising a comprehensive National Port Strategy aimed at ensuring long-term and sustainable development of Bangladesh’s land, sea, and river ports.
“The draft of the National Port Strategy is in its final stage. We expect to complete the finalisation process within this year and begin its implementation from January next year,” Dr Sakhawat said while addressing a stakeholder consultation meeting on the Bangladesh National Port Strategy 2025 in Dhaka on Tuesday.
The meeting was organised by the Ministry of Shipping in collaboration with the Government of Japan and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Highlighting the global trend toward digital port operations, the adviser said, “Leading international ports have already embraced digitalisation, which is attracting increased foreign investment. To ensure similar growth, our government has taken the initiative to develop the National Port Strategy to promote efficient and sustainable port management.”
Dr Sakhawat noted that the strategy envisions building an integrated, strong, and modern port infrastructure across the country. “A Maritime Single Window will be launched to consolidate all port-related services into one digital platform. Business stakeholders will receive seamless and time-efficient services through this system,” he said.
He further stated that the strategy would synchronise the management of land ports, seaports, and inland river ports, ensuring uniformity in policy and operation. “The formulation of the National Port Strategy marks a new chapter in the nation’s port management,” he added, expressing hope that it would bring “a revolutionary change” in Bangladesh’s maritime sector.
Shipping Secretary Dr Nurunnahar Chowdhury, expressed appreciation to the Government of Japan and JICA for their technical assistance in drafting the policy. She said, “Prepared under the guidance of the Shipping Adviser, this National Port Strategy will open new avenues for modern, efficient, and coordinated port management — a milestone for the future of Bangladesh’s maritime industry.”
Chittagong Port Authority Chairman Rear Admiral SM Moniruzzaman spoke as the focal person of the meeting and thanked all stakeholders, including the Ministry of Shipping, for their active participation.
Officials from various government departments and agencies under the Ministry of Shipping also attended the meeting.
The initiative marks the first time in the country’s 54-year history that a unified strategy is being developed for port management, as previously each port operated under its own separate plan.
