Appointment of Project Director and Coordinator for the Bay Terminal of Chattogram Port
The Bay Terminal Marine Infrastructure Development Project (BTMIDP), a significant initiative aimed at enhancing Bangladesh's port capacity, has recently welcomed new leadership. The appointments, made on Tuesday, 24 July, were announced by the Chattogram Port Authority.
The project, which was launched in 2014 to address growing container congestion at the Chittagong Port, is a component of the Bay Terminal initiative. The marine infrastructure development project includes the construction of a seven-kilometre navigational access channel, a six-kilometre breakwater, and the development of essential utilities and support facilities.
Commodore Md Mahfuzur Rahman has been appointed as the Project Director of the BTMIDP. With a distinguished career in the Bangladesh Navy, Commodore Rahman is currently serving as the Controller of Examinations at Bangladesh Maritime University. In his new role, he will oversee and coordinate the development activities related to the Bay Terminal Marine Infrastructure.
Commander Mohammad Moniruzzaman, another senior officer from the Bangladesh Navy, has been appointed as the Project Coordinator. His responsibilities include ensuring the overall management, execution, and successful implementation of the project's objectives, ensuring that the marine infrastructure development proceeds efficiently and meets required standards.
The World Bank recently approved a $650 million loan for the infrastructure, which is scheduled for completion by June 2031. In addition to marine infrastructure, the Bay Terminal project involves the construction of three terminals: two container terminals and one multipurpose terminal.
The multipurpose terminal is being developed jointly by the Chittagong Port Authority and AD Ports Group, with a pledged investment of $1 billion. PSA Singapore and DP World are expected to invest $1.5 billion and $3 billion respectively in the two container terminals.
Upon completion, the Bay Terminal is expected to transform Chattogram into a major regional maritime hub. The total cost of the BTMIDP has been estimated at Tk 13,525.57 crore. The project is located on 2,500 acres of land along the coast of Patenga-Halishahar, about 6 kilometres from the existing port.
The appointments come after the project received approval by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on 20 April this year. The project's success will undoubtedly contribute to Bangladesh's growing economy and international trade, making it an exciting development for the country.
The appointments of Commodore Md Mahfuzur Rahman and Commander Mohammad Moniruzzaman mark significant leadership roles in the Bay Terminal Marine Infrastructure Development Project (BTMIDP), which is expected to revolutionize the maritime industry of Bangladesh. These new appointees' responsibilities include facilitating the finance, transportation, and overall successful implementation of the project, ensuring its completion by the targeted deadline in 2031.
