Payra Port will be one of driving forces of country's economy : Shipping Adviser
Gofran Palash, Kalapara (Patuakhali)
Adviser to the Ministry of Shipping and Labour and Employmentb Brigadier General (Retd) M Sakhawat Hossain said, 'If the master plan of Payra Port is implemented, Payra Port will be one of the driving forces of the country's economy.
We should make port management modern and effective through realistic and sustainable planning. Payra Port must be made sustainable for this region. I think a port needs to have its own dredger. There is no port in Bangladesh where dredging is not done. I hope that I will be able to sanction the dredger and dredging of Payra Port within the next two to three months. 10 years is nothing for a port. If it takes 20 or 25 years, it can be said that its work has started.'
He said this to reporters after a seminar on 'Master Plan of Payra Port' at the hall room of Sikder Resort and Villas in Kuakata municipality, Patuakhali on Sunday afternoon.
He said, ''Payra Port was established as the third seaport of the country in Kalapara Upazila of Patuakhali with the aim of developing a potential economic corridor in the central-southern region of the country due to its geographical location, straight and wide channel, versatile communication system and a promising economic corridor. This port has a 650-meter-long jetty facility equipped with modern equipment. There are 325,000 square meters of backup yard facilities, 10,000 square meters of modern CFS, safe navigation facilities in a wide and straight channel. It has the facility to move Panamax-shaped ships with a length of 225 meters and a width of 32 meters, carrying 40 to 50 thousand metric tons of cargo. 3000-3500 TUS containers) facility. There is a jam-free berthing/un-berthing facility.
He said, ''Payra Port was established as the third seaport of the country in Kalapara Upazila of Patuakhali with the aim of developing a potential economic corridor in the central-southern region of the country due to its geographical location, straight and wide channel, versatile communication system and a promising economic corridor. This port has a 650-meter-long jetty facility equipped with modern equipment. There are 325,000 square meters of backup yard facilities, 10,000 square meters of modern CFS, safe navigation facilities in a wide and straight channel. It has the facility to move Panamax-shaped ships with a length of 225 meters and a width of 32 meters, carrying 40 to 50 thousand metric tons of cargo. 3000-3500 TUS containers) facility. There is a jam-free berthing/un-berthing facility.
At the same time, there will be transshipment facilities for 15 commercial ships in the Inner Channel. There will be jam-free facilities for cargo transportation by road. All preparations are being completed with the aim of making the first terminal operational in July 2026. A plan to provide technology-friendly automated operations and smart customer service from this port is being ensured.’
Earlier, at a master plan event, he said, ‘There are many important ports in Bangladesh. However, when there is talk of building a new port or building another port next to Chittagong Port, it is said that the country has left. Again, if there is talk of appointing an operator at Chittagong Port, it is said that the country has left. It is as if the matter has caught the attention of the people, and everyone is running.’
The seminar organized by the Payra Port Authority was attended by senior officials of various ministries, departments, military and civilian organizations, business leaders, port user-partners, representatives of the master plan preparation organization Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology and Royal Haskoning DHV of the Netherlands, and representatives of various electronic and print media.
The the guests were welcomed by the Chairman of the Payra Port Authority, Rear Admiral Masud Iqbal. He called for the preparation and cooperation of all concerned to make the first terminal of the Payra Port operational from July 2026. He also sought the government's support in carrying out some essential works including dredging.
Earlier, at a master plan event, he said, ‘There are many important ports in Bangladesh. However, when there is talk of building a new port or building another port next to Chittagong Port, it is said that the country has left. Again, if there is talk of appointing an operator at Chittagong Port, it is said that the country has left. It is as if the matter has caught the attention of the people, and everyone is running.’
The seminar organized by the Payra Port Authority was attended by senior officials of various ministries, departments, military and civilian organizations, business leaders, port user-partners, representatives of the master plan preparation organization Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology and Royal Haskoning DHV of the Netherlands, and representatives of various electronic and print media.
The the guests were welcomed by the Chairman of the Payra Port Authority, Rear Admiral Masud Iqbal. He called for the preparation and cooperation of all concerned to make the first terminal of the Payra Port operational from July 2026. He also sought the government's support in carrying out some essential works including dredging.
The introductory speech on the Payra Port Master Plan project was presented by the lead consultant of the BUET team, Prof Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmed. Then, the team leader of the Netherlands-based consulting organization Royal Haskoning DHV of the Payra Port Master Plan project, Mr. Menno Mooij, presented the key-note speech.
Commodore Mohammad Abdul Quader, Member (Engineering and Development) of the Payra Port Authority, gave a presentation on the development, progress and future plans of the Payra Port. In the second session of the seminar, comments and suggestions were given by various stakeholders on the master plan and the overall progress of the Payra Port.
A feasibility study was completed by the UK-based consulting firm HR Wallingford to make the port modern and effective. Based on this study, the overall activities of the Payra Port were divided into 19 important components and the relevant ministry or organization was given the responsibility to implement each component.
A feasibility study was completed by the UK-based consulting firm HR Wallingford to make the port modern and effective. Based on this study, the overall activities of the Payra Port were divided into 19 important components and the relevant ministry or organization was given the responsibility to implement each component.
One of the most important components was 'Conservancy and Port Management'. Under this, a project called 'Development of Infrastructure Support Facilities (DISF)' was taken up as the initial step for establishing the port. A key component of the DISF project is the preparation of the 'Detailed Masterplan of the Payra Port'.
