The Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) intends dredging the Karnaphuli River, at an estimated cost of $29.2 million, to reduce congestion at the port. This will allow four lighters to function to support Bangladesh’s biggest port.
Post-dredging, lighters and tankers with up to four-metre draught will be able to ply in the river, enabling carriage of goods to jetties, Rear Admiral M. Khaled Iqbal, Chairman of CPA, said.
Currently, the low water on the river slows or prevents lighter passage, causing delays in the discharge of cargo from ships at anchor.