The Mongla Port, Bangladesh’s second largest seaport, has seen a lot of activity recently, with ships from all over the world arriving at regular intervals. According to a special report, the port has made a remarkable recovery, and it is once again a vital gateway for Bangladesh’s outside trade. Without a doubt, this would enhance the country’s export commerce and, as a result, the whole economy. Senior officials believe that once the Padma Bridge is completely operational, the port would experience considerably more activity. Since 2012, the port has shown an average yearly rise of 17 percent in ship handling, while cargo handling has increased by 19 percent.
Arrivals of ships have increased at Mongla Port as the economic growth has increased domestic demand. The credit for the steady growth in business goes to the completion of dredging at the outer bar of a nearly 140-kilometre channel. This resulted in the improved navigability of vessels that required a higher draft.
The Mongla Port Authority is in the midst of purchasing a large quantity of equipment to handle cargoes as part of a Tk-433-crore project to maintain the port working at full capacity. In addition, the port administration plans to purchase six vessels to handle ocean-going ships as part of a Tk 767 crore initiative.
According to our sources, the port currently has 25 berthing facilities, including five jetties. Experts suggest the jetty’s draught needs to be increased to allow vessels with a draught of more than seven metres to enter. Understandably, dredging at the Pashur channel’s inner bar is expected to solve this problem. Once done, it will allow ships with more than nine metres’ draft to use the jetty.
