The development of the Payra sea port in Bangladesh is on track to be completed by July 2026, according to the Payra Port Authority (PPA). The port, situated approximately 270 kilometers south of Dhaka, is being upgraded under a comprehensive master plan aimed at transforming it into a major maritime hub.
During a seminar held at a Kuakata hotel, PPA Member (Engineering & Development) Commodore Mohammad Abdul Kader shared details of the project, highlighting key features. The upgraded port will support transshipment for up to 15 commercial vessels simultaneously and will feature a 650-meter jetty capable of berthing container ships carrying 3,000 to 3,500 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units). It will also include navigational channels suitable for Panamax vessels, which can be up to 225 meters long and 32 meters wide.
Additional infrastructure will comprise a backup yard spanning 3.25 lakh square meters and a 10,000 square meter container freight station. The port’s design emphasises uninterrupted river connectivity with Dhaka and other regions, along with cost-effective anchorage and parking facilities. Notably, tariff rates are expected to be 20 to 30 percent lower than those at other ports, making Payra a competitive alternative.
The development plan was presented by a joint team from Dutch firm Royal Haskoning DHV and Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet). The master plan was formulated as part of a tripartite agreement signed in February 2019 among the team, PPA, and the Ministry of Shipping. Originally scheduled to be completed within 18 months at a cost of around Tk 125 crore, the project faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and political uncertainties.
Shipping, Labour and Employment Adviser Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain emphasized the port’s environmentally friendly approach, stating that unlike other ports, Payra aims to avoid coal-based energy sources and instead relies on renewable energy. He urged investors to establish small-scale industries around the port to enhance its utility and profitability.
Hossain also highlighted the strategic importance of the port, noting that currently, about 93 percent of Bangladesh’s foreign trade relies on Chattogram port. With ongoing industrialization and export-driven growth, the volume of foreign trade is expected to double by 2050, underscoring the need to expand port capacity.
The seminar was chaired by PPA Chairman Rear Admiral Masud Iqbal. Menno Muijs of Royal Haskoning DHV and Prof Dr Ishtiaque Ahmed of Buet also shared insights on the master plan and development prospects for Payra Port. Officials expressed optimism that, with proper connectivity and infrastructure, Payra could emerge as a profitable and sustainable maritime gateway for Bangladesh.
Bharat Tex Special Report 2026 
