Deal inked to prepare Payra Port master plan

Deal inked to prepare Payra Port master plan

UNB

• Dhaka Tribune February 14th, 2019

‘Consultancy Services for Preparation of Payra Port Detailed Master Plan’ is signed at at the seminar hall of the Shipping Ministry on Thursday, Feb 14, 2019 UNB

The port will be built on the banks of the Rabnabad channel

The Payra Port Authority (PPA) has appointed a joint team—of Dutch company Royal Haskoning DHV and Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet)— to prepare the detailed master plan for the overall development of Bangladesh’s third seaport.

A tripartite agreement titled “Consultancy Services for Preparation of Payra Port Detailed Master Plan” was signed at the seminar hall of the Shipping Ministry on Thursday.

The Secretary of the Shipping Ministry Abdus Samad and Netherlands Ambassador to Bangladesh Harry Verweij were present at the signing.

PPA Chairman Commodore M Jahangir Alam, Bureau of Research, Testing and Consultation of Buet Prof Shamsul Haq and Strategic Business director of Royal Haskoning DHV Erice Smit signed the agreement on behalf of their respective parties.

A total of 29 Buet specialists and 61 from Royal Haskoning will be on the consulting panel plus prepare 24 study and development project reports—including the master plan—within 18 months, at a cost of around Tk125 crore.

Payra Port, one of the “10 Fast Track” projects being implemented by the government—as a top priority—will be built on the banks of the Rabnabad channel of Patuakhali district.

In the mid-term, the PPA will implement the construction of the first terminal, coal and dry bulk terminal, multipurpose terminal; plus undertake the capital dredging of Ramnabad Channel.

In the long-term, the PPA plans to build: a trans-shipment terminal, deep-water container terminal, offshore terminal or supply base, core port infrastructure, renewable power generation, housing, education and health facilities, plus procure towage harbour tugs and the internal ferry terminal, etc.

Other necessary infrastructure like: an airport, rail connectivity, ship yard and ship repair facility, plus LNG and Liquid Bulk Terminal will be built by the other ministries concerned.

For each of above components, the consultant will deliver a feasibility study report and environmental and social impact assessment.

The Detailed Port Master Plan will be developed by consultants through topographic surveys, site investigations, and modeling studies.

The exact location of the terminals plus all necessary port components and infrastructure will be sketched out in the master plan.