Chittagong Port Unveils Tk13,525 Crore Bay Terminal Expansion, Backed by World Bank Funding

The Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) has announced a major stride forward in its ambitious development plan—the integrated Bay Terminal Marine Infrastructure Development Project (BTMID)—with an estimated cost of Tk13,525.27 crore. This transformative project aims to significantly enhance Bangladesh’s maritime capabilities, backed by a blend of domestic funds and substantial international loans.

Of the total budget, Tk4,192.57 crore will come from the CPA’s own resources, while the remaining Tk9,333 crore is expected to be sourced through foreign loans. Notably, the World Bank has already approved US$650 million to finance critical components, including a climate-resilient breakwater and the dredging of an access channel, vital for accommodating larger vessels.

CPA Secretary Md Omar Faruk revealed that the recast Detailed Project Proposal (DPP) has been submitted to the ministry this month and is scheduled for presentation at the upcoming Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) meeting on Sunday. The port authority is optimistic about securing approval, paving the way for a loan agreement with the World Bank.

Targeted for completion by June 2031, the updated DPP consolidates multiple previously separate components—such as hinterland infrastructure and common facilities—into a streamlined implementation plan. The cost revision, from an initial estimate of Tk14,600 crore, follows recommendations from the recent evaluation committee meeting, which guided a more realistic budget.

Beyond the US$650 million already approved, sources indicate CPA anticipates an additional US$200 million from the World Bank to support project execution. Upon approval, the CPA will tender internationally for contractors, adhering to World Bank procurement standards.

The project’s core infrastructure includes a 6.217-kilometer breakwater designed to shield the port from adverse weather conditions, along with dredging a 7-kilometer-long, 600-meter-wide access channel and port basin to facilitate larger vessels.

In addition, the development encompasses roads, internal drainage, service jetties, an administrative building, medical and fire stations, a police outpost, security barracks, a water treatment plant, and a fish landing station. Once operational, the Bay Terminal will feature one multipurpose and two container terminals, boosting port capacity to handle over three million containers annually—an increase from the current throughput of 3.2 million.

Presently, vessels with a draft of up to 9.5 meters and length of 190 meters dock only during daylight high tides. The new infrastructure will enable ships with drafts up to 11.5 meters and lengths of 300 meters—capable of carrying 4,800 containers—to dock round the clock, revolutionizing Bangladesh’s maritime logistics. The three terminals, spanning a 3.95-kilometer stretch along the City Outer Ring Road, will feature 13 jetties, marking a significant leap toward modernizing the country’s port facilities.