CPA appoints consultant for feasibility study on Bay Terminal

The Chittagong Port Authority yesterday appointed a consultant to conduct feasibility study for constructing the much-awaited Bay Terminal along Halishahar coast.

The proposed terminal to be built on 907 acres would allow bigger ships to anchor at the port.

The consultant -- a joint venture between German and Bangladeshi companies -- sought Tk 6.39 crore for the job that includes conducting technical, economical and environmental feasibility studies.

A deal was signed in this regard at CPA boardroom where CPA Chairman Rear Admiral M Khaled Iqbal were present.

The consultant would submit five feasibility reports and traffic impact assessment within nine months, CPA officials said.

The firm would assess navigational aspects of the proposed site, determine the stability of the landmass that emerged near the site and formulate a master plan for the terminal.

The CPA took the project of constructing a new terminal after a huge landmass emerged from seabed along the Halishahar coast.

The process of acquiring the land at Halishahar is underway.

The CPA would initially build a 2.5-kilometre terminal, which will be used for handling containers and bulk cargos, said Md Zafar Alam, CPA member (administration and planning).

The CPA has been improving its facilities and has taken several development projects to increase capacity of the port.

The port experienced 13 percent annual growth in container handling during the last four years.