Port of Mongla
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The Port of Mongla is the main sea port in the Bagerhat District of southwestern Bangladesh.
The port was expanded starting in 2017, and a second phase of dredging began in 2021. The port has received imported coal, in preparation for the construction of the proposed Rampal power station.
Location
Formerly located at Chalna, about 8 km upstream on the Pusur River, the port is now located 48 km south of Khulna city. The port is situated at the confluence of the Pashur River and the Mongla River. It lies about 100 km north of the Bay of Bengal and is connected to the major inland river ports and to the rail terminal at Khulna. It is close to the Sundarbans.
Background
The port was founded in 1950 to serve the southwestern region of East Bengal. It was originally known as Chalna Port. In 1954, the port was established near Khulna city and became the Port of Mongla.[1]
In 2017, the government of Bangladesh launched dredging and jetty construction projects to expand the capacity of Mongla port by 42 percent, slated for completion in 2020.[2][3]
In December 2020, the port surpassed its record of foreign vessel handling. Commander Sheikh Fokor Uddin, the Harbour Master of Mongla Port, said dredging on the tidal estuary of the Bay of Bengal turned the corner of navigability at the port. The foreign vessels that dock at the port include coal carriers, container carriers, car carriers, urea fertiliser suppliers, power plant equipment, railway cargo, cement clinker, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).[4]
In March 2021, with a first phase of dredging finishing ahead of schedule, a second phase of inner bar dredging began to further increase the port’s capacity. The dredging project will allow the smooth arrival of ships with a draft of 9.5 meters to 10 meters at the port jetty. Under the project, 216.09 lakh cubic meters are set to be dredged at the inner bar at a cost of Taka 794 crore (US$93 million). The project is expected to be complete by June 2022. The project was jointly implemented by Chinese companies Jianshu Haihong Construction Engineering Company Limited and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation.[5][6]
Coal
On July 18, 2011, the Bangladesh government said it was likely to allow use of two jetties of Mongla port for setting up the 2x1320MW Rampal power station, despite concerns it would restrict the expansion of Mongla port for regional use.[7]
At least 4.5 million metric tonnes of coal would be imported every year through the port for the Rampal power station, which was planned for operation in 2021.[8] A 64.75 kilometre railway line would connect the Mongla Port in the Sundarbans mangrove forest to the Rampal power station in the town of Khulna, funded by the Export-Import Bank of India.[9]
On February 27, 2021, a ship carrying 700 tons of imported coal of Eastern Private Limited capsized while on its way to Nawapara in Jessore district from the Harbaria area of Mongla port. Similar incidents in close proximity to the Sundarbans are causing significant damage to aquatic life in the river and canal networks of the largest mangrove forest in the world, according to experts.[10]
In July 2021, the first consignment of coal for the proposed Rampal power station was shipped from Kolkata to the Mongla Port as a trial run. If the power station becomes operational, 20,000 tonnes of coal cargo are expected to arrive from Kolkata per month (240,000 tonnes annually).[11]
Project Details of coal terminal
- Operator: Mongla Port Authority
- Owner: Government of Bangladesh
- Location: Bagerhat District, Khulna Division, Bangladesh
- Coal Capacity: 4.5 million tonnes
- Status: Operating
- Start year: 2021
- Type: Imports
- Source of Coal: India
- Source of financing: Exim Bank India
Articles and resources
References
- ↑ "Mongla Port - Banglapedia," En.banglapedia.org, accessed July 24, 2017
- ↑ "Bangladesh: Plan for Mongla Port Development Project Unveiled," Dredging Today, July 4, 2010
- ↑ "Mongla port capacity expanding," En.prothom-alo.com, accessed July 24, 2017
- ↑ "Mongla port: Harbouring the future of Bangladesh," UNB, January 6, 2021
- ↑ "Dredging of Mongla Port begins to ensure smooth arrival of ships," New Age Bangladesh, March 14, 2021
- ↑ "The second phase of the dredging project of Mongla Port in Bangladesh starts," Seetao, April 2, 2020
- ↑ "Govt plans to use Mongla port jetties for power plant," Daily Sun, July 17, 2011
- ↑ "Dredging plan to enhance Mongla Port’s large ship handling capacity," Daily Sun, April 16, 2017
- ↑ "The latest Rampal scandal – essential coal plant infrastructure is tapping green bond cash," BankTrack, September 14, 2016
- ↑ "Coal contamination poses threat to Sundarbans’ aquatic life," Dhaka Tribune, March 5, 2021
- ↑ "Indo-Bangla Power Project Set To Get First Consignment Of Fuel: Official," NDTV, July 1, 2021
