2024-03-26 00:36:27
Payra Port’s first container terminal will be implemented under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in two phases. The government has taken a policy decision in this regard. To that end, taking initial initiative to implement the first project titled ‘Development of Container Terminal-1 of Payra Port under PPP Model’. 6 berths of 1 thousand 400 meters length will be constructed under the project.
According to sources from the Ministry of Shipping, in the second phase of the project (Development of Container Terminal-2 of Payra Port) 8 berths of 1 thousand 900 meters length will be constructed. If the entire project is implemented, it will be possible to handle 2 million TEU containers annually, which will help to increase the import-export growth of the country.
According to ministry sources, an assessment of the entire project will be done by appointing a transaction advisor before formulating the project under PPP.
According to the ministry, the Payra port located in Rabnabad channel of Kalapara upazila of Patuakhali is the third largest sea port in the country. It is an important priority project under the current government’s fast track. Payra Port was inaugurated on November 19, 2013, considering the socio-economic development of the southern part of the country and the future needs of the port in the country.
According to sources, based on the recommendations of the project feasibility study carried out by the UK-based consulting firm HR Wallingford, the overall activities of the Payra port project have been divided into 19 components. Container terminal construction-2 project is one of them.
According to sources, it was decided in the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs held on September 18, 2014 to implement the Payra port construction project as a whole by following any convenient method between PPP and G-to-G methods, considering the reality of the project.
According to the sources, later on 23 October 2016, in the review meeting regarding the development of Payra Port held under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office, 12 components of the project were approved by the Payra Port Authority and the remaining 7 components by various ministries/organizations to undertake activities in the GOB/G-to-G/FDI/PPP model. The decision is taken.
According to sources, a letter was sent to the PPP authorities by the Ministry of Shipping on October 23, 2016 with the aim of implementing Payra port components in FDI/PPP model. Later on September 18, 2023, a letter was sent to the PPP authority from the Payra Port Authority through the Ministry of Shipping to include the two components named Payra Port Container Terminal-1 and Payra Port Container Terminal-2 separately in the list of PPP projects.
According to the sources, with the aim of implementing the project in PPP mode, the eligibility verification meeting of the project entitled ‘Development of Container Terminal-1 of Payra Port under PPP Model’ was held on December 5, 2023 under the chairmanship of the Chief Executive Officer of PPP. In the screening meeting the project is passed as per the mandatory criteria for project screening with a view to implementing it in PPP mode.