Bangladesh Moves Ahead with First Deep-Sea Port Plan

Bangladesh is pressing forward with advanced plans to establish its first deep-sea port at Matarbari on Maheshkhali Island. The port is envisioned as a cornerstone of the country’s long-term economic growth strategy.

The facility is being designed to accommodate ultra-large container ships, including those over 8,000 TEU capacity, thanks to the site’s natural depth of 18.5 meters. With this capability, Bangladesh will be able to receive mother vessels directly rather than relying on transshipment hubs such as Singapore or Colombo. This is expected to streamline logistics and cut supply chain times for the nation’s exporters.

The overall initiative is projected to involve investments of $60–65 billion over a 20- to 30-year period. Economic returns are estimated at roughly $150 billion, half of which would be a direct contribution to GDP. Job creation is also a key element, with about 150,000 positions expected to come directly from the port project and a further 2.5 million jobs generated indirectly across related industries.

To manage the wide-ranging development, the government has established the Maheshkhali Integrated Development Authority (MIDA). This body will coordinate progress across sectors such as logistics, energy, fisheries, and manufacturing, all of which will play a role in the new port’s ecosystem.

The first phase of construction will focus on a 760-meter terminal, including a 460-meter container jetty and a 300-meter multipurpose jetty. Work is being carried out by Japanese firms Penta-Ocean and TOA through a joint venture, with completion targeted between 2029 and 2030.

Meanwhile, the Chattogram Port Authority has already engaged international consultants to design new tariff structures that will govern operations once the port is active.