Chairman of Mongla Sea Port Authority (MPA) Rear Admiral Mir Ershad Ali has said they are getting preparations to turn Mongla Port, the second largest Sea Port of Bangladesh, as a ‘Smart Port’ by 2027.
“We are working relentlessly to turn the Port as first ever green, clean and smart sea port by June 2027,” he said.
The Chairman said this as the chief guest while exchanging views with the Mongla Port users at a posh hotel here Wednesday.
With a view to enhancing speedy activities of import and export from the Mongla Port, the MPA organised the meeting with Captain Md Asaduzzaman, member (Harbour and Marine) of MPA, in the chair.
“It’s our challenge to complete the task through facing problems. And we must have to do it. At least 16 containers are handling an hour now and we are working to turn it 24 as there is no labour discontent of the Port last couple of years,” Ershad Ali said.
Terming keeping of navigation of 150 kilometers area is the main challenge, the MPA chairman said dredging works are ongoing with a cost of Taka 794 crore.
“Now eight meters draft ship has been docked in the sea port. At least 9.50- to-10-meter draft ship will be anchored at the port jetty after completion of the dredging by June 2024,” he added.
Lawmaker and Chairman of Bangladesh Jute Spinners Association S K Afil Uddin and Commissioner of Mongla Custom House Mohammad Neazur Rahman addressed the meeting as special guests.
Users of Mongla Port including leaders of Bangladesh Jute Association (BJA), Bangladesh Frozen Foods Exporters Association (BFFEA), Bangladesh Jute Goods Exporters’ Association, Khulna Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and Khulna Press Club took part in the open discussion.
The speakers urged the Mongla Sea Port Authority to create business-friendly sea port and to help them as smart port users’ side by side ‘Smart Mongla Port’.
They also demanded to remove all types of difficulties for container handling through giving facilities like Chattogram Sea Port and reduces all kinds of freight to run speedy the Mongla Port.
Government has already taken ‘Upgradation of Mongla Port’ project with a cost of Taka 6,014 crore, 61 lakh and 90 thousand (TK 6,014,61,90,000/-) for its infrastructural development, said MPA officials.
Earlier, Construction of surface water treatment plant with a cost of Taka 20.73 crore has been completed. Side by side, the construction works of waste management project of Mongla Port with a cost of Taka 401.24 crore is ongoing, said the officials, adding: “Sea pollution will be reduced and safety net of environment of the Port will be ensured after completion the project.”
