For years, Bangladesh has relied on Chattogram and Mongla ports to carry most of its trade. But with booming exports, growing imports, and rising demand for larger vessels, the pressure on existing facilities has become impossible to ignore. That is why a new wave of port projects is now reshaping the country’s maritime landscape—projects designed not just to handle cargo, but to unlock Bangladesh’s full potential as a regional hub.

 

At the heart of this transformation is the Bay Terminal in Chattogram. Set to begin partial operations by 2026, it will feature four terminals—two for containers, one multipurpose, and one for gas and oil. Unlike current facilities that struggle with larger ships, Bay Terminal will welcome vessels with up to 12 metres draught and 260 metres in length. With PSA Singapore, Dubai’s DP World, and Abu Dhabi Port Group committing major investments, the terminal is expected to multiply Chattogram’s capacity and change the way Bangladesh connects to global trade.

 

But the future is not only about Chattogram. Payra Port is also moving forward, with its first phase already operational and new developments planned under public-private partnerships. A dedicated container terminal and five other components are on the way, showing how Payra is being shaped into a deep-sea port that complements—not competes with—Chattogram’s growth. This balanced approach ensures that no single port carries the entire burden of the nation’s trade.

 

Inland connectivity is also being strengthened. Ashuganj River Port in Brahmanbaria is seeing the construction of a modern cargo terminal funded by the World Bank, with nearly a quarter of the work already done. By easing pressure on traditional sea ports, Ashuganj will make domestic logistics more efficient, while ongoing projects like Matarbari Port Development (phase two) and Mongla Port expansion keep the network expanding in all directions.

 

Together, these projects tell a bigger story: Bangladesh is not just upgrading its ports, it is preparing for a new role in global shipping. With Bay Terminal, Payra, Mongla, Matarbari, and Ashuganj all advancing, the country is building a port system capable of handling the demands of tomorrow—faster, bigger, and better connected than ever before.