The Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) under the shipping ministry has taken a project titled ‘Construction of Bay Terminal’ to this end to increase the capacity of the Chattogram port as per the country’s growing demand.

A multipurpose terminal will be constructed in the Bay Terminal project. The remaining two terminals will be allotted to foreign companies through Public-Private Partnership.

Shipping ministry has taken the project considering following object.

• To Provide a major gateway for the country’s trade with the outside world
• Primary issue is the limiting factor in accommodating larger vessel sizes and so Chittagong Port Authority intends to construct the “Bay Terminal” to improve the quality of services and develop adequate facilities and decrease the pressure on the existing Chittagong Port.
• Enhance competitiveness of the country’s exports as prices of imported and exported commodities decrease as a result of shorter shipping time and lower shipping costs.
• Exporters would incur lower financial costs for their shipments due to the shorter processing and shipping time for their cargo.

At present, ships with a maximum draft of 9.5 meters and a maximum length of 190 meters can berth in the jetties of the port in an average of four hours during high tide. However, ships of 200 meters length and 10 meters draft can be accommodated at the bay terminal