In a significant development for global shipping infrastructure, Bangladesh has entered a strategic partnership with Japan's Penta-Ocean Construction and TOA Corporation to construct the Matarbari Deep-Sea Port in Cox's Bazar. This ambitious project aims to transform Bangladesh's international trade capacity and pave the way for future economic growth.
Port Specifications and Capacity
The new port will feature a 460-meter container terminal and a 300-meter multi-purpose terminal , capable of accommodating vessels up to 350 meters and 200 meters in length respectively. Designed to handle large container ships with a draft of 14.5 meters and capacity for 8,200 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), the first phase of construction is expected to be completed by 2029 with an annual handling capacity of 600,000 to 1.1 million TEUs .
Upon full completion by 2041, the port's capacity is projected to expand to 2.2 to 2.6 million TEUs annually, representing a quantum leap in Bangladesh's maritime infrastructure capabilities.
Funding and Strategic Importance
With an estimated total budget of $2 billion (including approximately $500 million for the first phase), the project receives financial backing from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) . The Matarbari port will significantly outperform Chittagong Port, which currently can only accommodate vessels with maximum 10-meter drafts and 200-meter lengths.
"Matarbari Deep-Sea Port isn't just infrastructure improvement—it's a strategic investment in Bangladesh's economic future," said Brigadier General Dr. M Sakhawat Hussain, Advisor to Bangladesh's Shipping Ministry. "This project will open new frontiers in international trade, enhance supply chain resilience, and facilitate new industrial zone development."
Operational Advantages
The new port will utilize existing channel infrastructure, including a 14.3-kilometer waterway originally built for coal transportation to power plants, which will now serve container and bulk cargo operations. With capacity to handle vessels up to 100,000 deadweight tons (DWT) , Matarbari is expected to substantially alleviate congestion at existing ports while positioning Bangladesh as a more competitive player in global maritime trade.
Industry analysts note that the deep-water port will particularly benefit Bangladesh's ready-made garment sector—the country's largest export industry—while attracting new manufacturing investments to the surrounding economic zones.