Chattogram Bureau: Managing Director of Coal Power Generation Company Bangladesh Limited (CPGCBL) Mr. Md. Abul Kalam Azad officially handed over the Matarbari deep sea port channel to the Chittagong Port Authority on September 20, 2023. Port Authority Chairman Rear Admiral Mohammad Sohail, OSP, NUP, PPM, PSC accepted the said channel on behalf of CPA.

As a result of the acquisition of this channel by CPA, henceforth the use, conservation and control of the channel will be fully vested with the Chittagong Port Authority. Port dues, berth hire charges, piloting, tug charges, berthing and unberthing and other charges of seagoing vessels coming through this channel will be collected by CPA. It will earn a lot of foreign currency which will greatly contribute to the country`s economy.

A channel 14.3 km long and 250 m wide, 18.5 m (MSL) deep was excavated by CPGCBL under the Matarbari 2x600 mw coal-fired power project following government approval. Later, according to the memorandum of understanding signed between the Ministry of Shipping and the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources on 29/11/2018 for the construction of Matarbari Port, the width of the channel was increased by 100 meters to 350 meters. CPGCBL has constructed 1,753 m north breakwater, 713 m south breakwater and 180,2.85 m revetment on the north side to make the constructed channel and harbor safe and secure. On November 16, 2022, a meeting was held at the office of the Honorable Prime Minister under the chairmanship of the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister regarding the transfer of the channel of Matarbari deep sea port. In light of the decision of the said meeting, Matarbari channel was handed over by CPGCBL to Chittagong Port Authority.

Mr. Md. Tofazzal Hossain Mia, Chief Secretary to the Honorable Prime Minister was present as the chief guest on the occasion, Mr. Md. Mostafa Kamal, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping and Mr. Md. Habibur Rahman, BPAA, Senior Secretary of the Power Department were present as special guests. Also, Divisional Commissioner of Chittagong, members of Chittagong Port Authority, Director General of Prime Minister`s Office-1, Director General (Administration), Commissioner of Police, Customs Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner and other senior officials of various departments of the government, heads of departments of Chittagong Port Authority and other important persons were present at the channel handing over ceremony.