The government is making all out efforts to elevate Mongla as an international level port. Several efforts have already been taken in this regard. Though the main problem in the work is the lack of depth in the rivers. Big ships cannot anchor here due to absence of adequate depth.
Therefore, the ministry of shipping has undertaken a project called Dredging at the Inner Bar of Mongla Port at a cost of Tk 7.93 billion 7.28 million.
This will be implemented within Jun 30, 2022 and was approved by the ECNEC on Jan 28.
Planning minister MA Mannan added, “Trade and commerce have expanded in the country and the project has been taken to ease the pressure of trade on Chattogram port.”
Once the depth is increased ships with 9 to 10 metres in hull depth can easily enter the port.
Under the project, 15.77 million cubic metres of river will be dredged with cutter suction dredger, 5.83 million cubic metre will be dredged using trailing suction hopper dredged. Dykes will also be built.
Mongla port chairman rear admiral Sheikh Md Abul Kalam Azad said, “By 2021, around 1,000 ships will anchor here and it will be able to provide international standard facilities.”
“We will also give jetty, cargo handling and other facilities to international shipping lines,” he added.