Background report, originally published by The Daily Star on 20 July 2025.
The Payra Port Authority (PPA) said a new feature of the port’s master plan was due to be operational by July 2026, allowing transshipment for up to 15 commercial vessels at once, according to PPA member (engineering and development) Commodore Mohammad Abdul Kader. Later reporting shows the port’s full operation has slipped to early 2027.
Planned infrastructure included a 650-metre jetty for 3,000-3,500 TEU container vessels, channels for Panamax vessels, a 325,000 square-metre backup yard and a 10,000 square-metre container freight station. The PPA said tariffs would be 20-30 per cent lower than at other ports.
Then Shipping Adviser Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain said about 93 per cent of the country’s foreign trade depended on Chattogram and that “no port becomes profitable overnight”.
Source
- The Daily Star: “Payra Port to complete upgrade by July 2026” (20 July 2025)
File photo: the then shipping adviser’s visit to Payra sea port development projects. Photo: Press Information Department / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
This article is a summary prepared by Maritime News BD from the report(s) listed above; it was not independently reported by Maritime News BD.
