Mongla, Sept 23 (V7N) – Mongla Port Authority Chairman Rear Admiral Arif Ahmed Mustafa has said there is no alternative to developing the country’s second-largest seaport, acknowledging that the port is currently operating below its potential capacity.
 
He said the government has taken initiatives to improve the port’s navigability and handling capacity, including dredging at the outer and inner bars and introducing regular maintenance dredging.
 
“Currently, we are behind in terms of capacity. Ships with the required draft cannot enter the port,” Mustafa said while speaking to journalists at a meeting at the Mongla Port Authority conference room on Tuesday afternoon.
 
He said dredging work had already been carried out at the outer and inner bars, while arrangements had now been made for maintenance dredging. Once the work progresses, vessels with greater drafts are expected to be able to enter the port by the end of this year, which he said would increase the port’s operational efficiency.
 
According to the Mongla Port Authority, ongoing inner-bar dredging covers a 23.4-kilometre stretch, while a five-year maintenance dredging project has also been approved to maintain the channel at the required depth.
 
The chairman said the government is also pursuing broader development of Mongla Port. Bangladesh and China recently signed a commercial contract related to the modernisation of the port, as part of wider bilateral cooperation.
 
Mustafa said improved navigability and port facilities would allow Mongla to handle more cargo and attract vessels that currently cannot use the port because of draft limitations.
 
He also highlighted the potential for increasing the use of Mongla Port for Bangladesh’s export trade. The port can currently accommodate vessels with a maximum draft of 9.5 metres and a maximum length of 225 metres, while its jetties can handle up to 52 vessels, according to a recent discussion between the port authority and the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association.
 
Members of the port authority, including Member (Harbour and Marine) Commodore Shafiqul Islam, Acting Member (Development and Engineering) Shawkat Ali, Director (Board and Public Relations) Kalachand Singha, Director (Administration) Lt Col Arif Billah and Director (Traffic) Kamal Hossain, attended Tuesday’s meeting.
 
Deputy Director (Board and Public Relations) Salauddin Kabir was also present.
 
Representatives of print and electronic media from Bagerhat and Mongla attended the meeting.
 
END/AHS/SMA/