Bangladesh’s ambitious Matarbari Deep Sea Port project has opened a “new window” in South Asia, enabling mother vessels to anchor directly at the jetty — a first for the region. Officials say the facility will significantly boost trade and connectivity, not just for Bangladesh but also for India’s northeastern states.
The Bangladesh government, with Japanese financing, is developing the port at Matarbari on Maheskhali Island near Cox’s Bazar as part of the larger Moheshkhali–Matarbari Integrated Development Initiative (MIDI). This mega initiative combines port infrastructure with power plants, energy terminals, free trade zones, and industrial hubs to create one of the largest commercial ecosystems in the country.
Currently, a 2,400 MW coal-based power project forms the backbone of the development, of which 1,200 MW is already operational. The deep-sea channel, originally designed to bring coal for the plant, has now evolved into a full-fledged maritime gateway.
“Initially, this channel was only for the Matarbari power plant, but now a separate Matarbari Deep Sea Port Authority has been set up. By 2030, two vessels will be able to anchor simultaneously, with unloading completed in just 48 hours,” said Sazzadur Rahman, Manager at CPGCBL, in an interview.
The project is being executed by Japanese firms Penta Ocean and Nippon. Officials also revealed that the port, with a natural depth of 18.5 metres, will be able to handle both bulk cargo and container ships — eliminating the multiple handling steps required at Chittagong Port.
With an expected $60–65 billion in investment over the next 20–30 years, including $47–48 billion in private capital and $4.8 billion in targeted FDI, the project is forecast to contribute $150 billion to GDP. Around 1.5 lakh direct jobs and up to 25 lakh indirect jobs are projected.
The vision goes beyond port operations: a Free Trade Zone and a dedicated fish processing zone are also being planned. Officials hope to transform the Moheshkhali–Cox’s Bazar region into “another Singapore” by 2060.
Crucially, Matarbari’s capacity is expected to handle 25% of Bangladesh’s bulk cargo and 45% of container traffic in the long run. Analysts say this will also open opportunities for India’s Northeast, with faster and cheaper access to global shipping lines.
