A project titled "Pashur Channel Maintenance Dredging" has begun at Mongla port to maintain navigability of the channel.
Approved during an ECNEC meeting last week, this project is estimated to cost Tk 1,538.19 crore.
The project taken by the Mongla Port Authority follows the completion of dredging at the Outer Bar of the Pashur Channel, with ongoing work at the Inner Bar.
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Upon completion, ships with drafts of 9.5 to 10 meters will be able to dock directly at Mongla Port’s jetties.
The initiative aims to sustain the port's channel depth and ensure its smooth operation, officials said.
Overcoming Past Challenges
Mongla Port faced severe navigability issues between 2002 and 2007 due to a lack of dredging in the Outer and Inner Bar channels.
The port became nearly inoperative due to the constraints, with a sharp decline in ship arrivals.
After completing a Tk 712 crore Outer Bar dredging project in 2020, the port now accommodates ships with 9-meter drafts.
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Later the port authority started dredging the Inner Bar, spanning 23 kilometers from Joymonirgol to the port jetties.
Despite initial projections to complete the Tk 793.72 crore project by June 2022, delays increased costs to Tk 992 crore.
New Maintenance Dredging Project
The newly approved maintenance dredging project for Pashur Channel will be implemented from January 2025 to December 2029.
Of the total project cost, Tk 1,384.37 crore will come from the government, with the remaining Tk 153.82 crore funded by Mongla Port Authority.
Besides, the "Procurement of Supporting Vessels for Mongla Port (1st Revised)" project will now cost Tk 936.56 crore, up from Tk 767.25 crore, and is set to be completed by June 2025.
Boosting Port Capacity
Rear Admiral Shahin Rahman, Chairman of Mongla Port Authority, said there is no alternative of regular dredging to sustain the country’s second-largest seaport.
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"The port has proven its growing significance by facilitating key national projects like Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, Rampal Power Plant, and Metro Rail," he said.
With ongoing and planned projects, Mongla Port aims to overcome navigability challenges, enhance its operational efficiency, and further contribute to the economic growth of Bangladesh’s southwestern region.
"We are implementing a comprehensive master plan to transform Mongla Port into a modern and dynamic facility capable of handling future demands," he said.