Ray of hope for southwestern ports

It has been 72 years since the Mongla port’s establishment, but the majority of the country’s foreign trade is done through the Chattogram port, which causes extra lead time and container congestion.

The World Bank data shows the Chattogram port handles 90 per cent of Bangladesh’s export-import trade while the one in Mongla uses only half its capacity.

Even most of the sea trade with India is done through the Chattogram port because of the Padma River though the Mongla port as well as the Benapole and Bhomra land ports are nearer to the neighbouring country.

In this situation, the government is building another port, Payra, which is expected to come into operation next year.

It takes a long time for goods-laden vehicles to cross the Padma River via ferries, sometimes weeks. For this, businessmen cannot use the facilities offered by the southwestern ports.

But thanks to the Padma Bridge, exporters and importers are hopeful of utilising the full range of facilities provided by the southwestern ports. They expect this will usher in a new era of foreign trade.

“The Padma Bridge will definitely facilitate trade, especially exports. Foreign trade via the Chattogram port will be decentralised if the southwestern ports can be used, especially Mongla,” Anwar-ul Alam Chowdhury Parvez, president of the Bangladesh Chamber of Industries, told The Business Post.

He said many manufacturing units would be set up in the southern region, mainly in Khulna and Barishal, because of the bridge. “Factory owners will use the Mongla port because of easy communication.”

Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association Executive President Mohammad Hatem told The Business Post the Chattogram port regularly witnesses container congestions as it handles the majority of the country’s foreign trade.

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“Besides, the distance between Dhaka and Chattogram is 70 kilometres more than that from the capital to Mongla. Now that we have the Padma Bridge, we will be able to avoid container congestions and reduce lead time by using the southwestern ports,” he said.

He also said land and sea ports in the southern region would now gain momentum.

“The government expects the bridge will help achieve another 1.2 per cent gross domestic product (GDP) growth, and port connectivity will play a role in that.”

Mongla port potential

Industry insiders said they have high expectations for the Mongla port due to its proximity to Dhaka, long experience in handling cargo, and good connectivity with the capital. But they are concerned about its capacity.

They also said goods loading and unloading depend on shipping lines and freight forwarding agents. They urged the government to discuss the matter with shipping lines and freight forwarding agents.

“The Mongla port will have wider roads and rail connectivity with other parts of the country soon. Besides, it is already in operation. That is why this should be the government’s first priority,” Hatem said.

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“The government should immediately set up a railway container jetty outside Dhaka, which will help traders avoid Dhaka’s intolerable traffic jam,” he added.

Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association Vice-President Shahidullah Azim told The Business Post most of the foreign trade in the northern region is also done via the Chattogram port due to a vessel crisis in Mongla, which is costly and time-consuming.

“But when apparel manufacturers will start trading through the Mongla port, the northern region’s export and import will also begin via it. For this, there will be huge pressure on the Mongla port and the routes connecting it. The government should focus on that,” he said.

He also said many new factories would be built in the southern region once trade via the Mongla port gained momentum.

“The government must have a long-term plan. They especially have to focus on the port channel draft to ensure easy movement of vessels. Otherwise, shipping lines will not be interested in using the port.”

Huge development work

To provide good connectivity and services of international standards in cargo handling, the government has undertaken development projects involving the Mongla and Payra ports.

It is working to improve cargo handling capacity and channel drafting. It is also setting up new jetties and rail connectivity as well as widening roads. Besides, it is installing modern technology that is already in use at the Chattogram port.

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The shipping ministry said the government was working to enhance the Mongla port capacity by 500 times. To this end, it is setting up five new jetties. The ministry expects the Mongla port’s modernisation will complete next year.

To improve transportation, the roads and highways department is working to widen the port connecting roads. Service roads are also being built.

The railway authorities are working to set up a railway bridge over the Rupsha River, which will directly connect Dhaka, the Mongla port, and the northern region.

The entrance channel of the Mongla port, known as the Outer Bar, was dredged in 2019-20. Now ships with drafts of 9.5-10 metres can anchor there.

The Inner Bar from Mongla port to Harbaria is being dredged now. Once completed, vessels with drafts of at least 9.5 metres in length will be able to berth. The maximum length of drafts of ships permitted to enter and leave the Chattogram port is 9.50 metres.

Md Imtiaz hossain, member (engineering and development) of the Mongla Port Authority, told The Business Post they were focusing on channel drafting and continuing dredging.

He said a long-term maintenance dredging project was in process to maintain the minimum channel depth at 8.5 metres.

“India will use this port after full railway connectivity is built. At the same time, local businesses will also start using it. That is why the Mongla Port Authority regularly holds planning meetings with stakeholders.”

Imtiaz expects the port’s container handling capacity will gradually be enhanced in line with vessel pressure.

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The shipping ministry said the Payra port was being developed and a service jetty had already been opened. The port authorities are working to set up two jetties that are expected to be completed next year. The work on another six jetties is expected to be finished in 2025.

Moreover, a river bridge needs to be set up for the smooth movement of vehicles, and the government has invited tenders. But the invitation was later suspended for some reason. Ministry officials said inviting fresh tenders was underway.

Hatem said there were no alternatives but to provide good facilities for encouraging businessmen to use the Mongla port.

“If the government wants to achieve the development goal spurred by the Padma Bridge, their focus should be on improving port services.”