Mongla Sea Port to be ‘Smart Port’ by 2027: Chairman

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 today.

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 to BSS.

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.” (BSS)