KHULNA, July 12, 2025 (BSS) - The interim government has initiated efforts to  modernize and speed up the Mongla seaport, the country's second largest  seaport located in Bagerhat district near the north shore of the Bay of  Bengal, aiming to expand its activities.  The government has also a plan to construct five more projects to enhance its  container handling capacity and transform the port into a modern, world-class  maritime hub. To date, one project has been completed and four others are progressing  rapidly with construction works underway at the seaport. The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved two  projects while other three projects are awaiting its approval for the  expansion and modernisation of the Mongla port facilities. The Mongla Port Authority (MPA) under the Ministry of Shipping has completed  a project namely "Modern Waste and Oil Disposal Management at Mongla Port" by  June this year, Deputy Director of MPA (Media) Md Makruzzaman told BSS today. The project aims to collect and manage waste from vessels and nearby  industries in an eco-friendly manner, Complies with the MARPOL Convention  (the International Convention for the prevention of pollution from ships).  MARPOL is an important convention for preventing pollution of the maritime  environment and protects the Sundarbans and Pashur Channel from marine  pollution. Besides, the construction works of other four ongoing projects are  progressing fast, he said. The ongoing projects are the Procurement of Auxiliary Vessels for efficient handling and emergency operations, dredging of Pashur Channel's  Inner Bar which targeting 8.5 meters navigability to allow 10-meter draft  vessels, upgradation of Mongla Port aiming to handle 15 million metric tons  of cargo and 350,000-400,000 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) annually and  Construction of Two Incomplete Jetties which Will enable handling of 200,000  TEUs annually and create employment for related sectors. The two projects that were recently approved by ECNEC are Expansion and  Modernisation of Port Facilities, which aims to install modern equipment and  increase container handling to 400,000 TEUs per year and Maintenance Dredging  in the Mongla Port Channel. The three projects-- the procurement of one trailing suction hopper dredger  and two cutter suction dredgers, a feasibility study for river training in  the Pashur Channel and the procurement of two mooring boats for the Mongla  Port-- are also waiting for the approval of ECNEC.  While talking to BSS, the Chief Planning Officer Zahirul Haque of MPA said  the port is now seeing speedy activities after the completion of Modern Waste  and Oil Disposal Management at Mongla Port. "At least 80 percent construction works of four projects, including two  jetties, have already been completed," he said, adding that the remaining  works are expected to be completed by December this year.  He, however, said that after completion of the ongoing project, it will help  handle over 100 additional vessels at the jetty and 130 more to Rampal Power  Plant, loading and unloading capacity will stand at least double compared to  the present situation. Haque said Mongla Port will be a large regional hub after the completion of  the projects. The port is in a suitable position in geographically, Haque said, adding:  "So, goods are imported and exported to and from Nepal, Bhutan, China and  India through the country's south-west region." He further said expansion of the port is needed as pressure has been created  due to the keen interest of neighbouring countries to use it.  According to the MPA sources, port facilities are now available for the users  as no vessel congestion is created here. Other facilities are special  privileges for car importers, seven available container yards, 38 support  vessels, including tugboats, pilot boats, survey boats and dredgers.  Compliance with the international Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code  ensures port security, regular Coast Guard patrols for security during vessel  arrival and departure, and Convenient and cost-effective transportation of  goods across the country via road and river routes. Besides, berthing capacity for vessels with 8.5-meter draft at the jetty, a  144-km long navigational channel with lighted buoys and towers for safe day- night navigation, 49 designated berthing points for foreign vessels, 134  modern cargo and container handling equipment, safe storage and handling  facilities at the Roosevelt Jetty in Khulna and one-stop service system at  the jetty area, including permissions, billing, indenting, equipment booking  and payment that all in one place. The other available facilities are 182 meter long five-jetty, 30,000 metric  tonnes containing four transit sheds, one staffing or unstaffing shed, two  warehouses each containing 30,000 tonnes of goods, 162 reefer plugs, seven  container yards and two car yards. Mohammad Dulal, a user of the port, said the Mongla port activities have  already been geared up during the interim government period as the government  has taken various steps to its upgradation. Talking to BSS, Chairman of Mongla Port Rear Admiral Shaheen Rahman spoke  about the geographical significance of the Mongla port, saying the interim  government is committed to developing the port into a regional hub by  strengthening its container handling infrastructure. Replying a question, the MPA Chairman said the major challenges for the port  are maintaining navigability of the 144-km channel through capital and  maintenance dredging, ensuring a safe, pollution-free, eco-friendly channel,  enhancing port capacity in alignment with future demand and regional  development, replacing old support vessels and acquiring new ones,  establishing repair facilities for marine vessels and equipment and Building  a skilled and sufficient workforce.   "Global trade could be expanded further with Bhutan, Nepal and China in the  expansion of container handling capacity through the implementation of this  project," he said. The Mongla Port's current annual handling capacities are: 1,500 vessels, 15  million metric tonnes of cargo, 100,000 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units)  of containers, and 20,000 units of vehicles, the MPA Chairman added.