Port Development in Bangladesh

Abstract

This paper aims to find out the existing port infrastructure and port transport facilities in Bangladesh and its further development opportunities to mitigate the demand of port transport within the country also for regional and international requirements that needs to consider as priority activity. In addition, further development of port logistics for other countries by which Bangladesh can earn foreign exchange that will be added in GDP. Above and beyond, this paper conducts the research of existing port facilities and port performance of Bangladeshi seaports for national, regional and other’s trade demand currently and how efficiency may be increased to follow the performances of ranked port of the world. Role of government, private sector engagement through PPP for reforming the port management are described for developing port infrastructure, roads and highways, easy documentation and others for quick movement of cargo and container to meet the demand of port users. Moreover, intermodal transport services within the country and especially for India, Nepal and Bhutan highly required in the South Asia that may be supplied from Bangladeshi seaports. In here, the major factors like high transport costs, import and export expenses, passage time and others may be reduced through the developments of ports that positioned with the geographical advantages for some countries including landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) of South Asia that is focused by transit facilities by Bangladesh to other countries. Furthermore, this paper makes a case study for Southern China transit and transport arrangement with Bangladesh by which both countries will be benefitted equally. Overall, development process of port transport and its interrelated subject development attributed in this paper to make it useful for all port users nationally, regionally and internationally.

Keywords: Transport, Logistics, Intermodal, Landlocked, Transit, China.