Analysts shed light on viability of deep-sea port

Proper use of the proposed deep-sea port in Sonadia by the neighbouring countries, including India and China, should be ensured to make the large project effective and viable, analysts said yesterday.
Implementation of the deep-sea port is a long-term project, they said, adding that gradual development of the Chittagong port is needed to cope with the growing traffic movement.
They spoke at a meeting on deep-sea port and Chittagong port operations, on the premises of Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The chamber and the Netherlands embassy jointly organised the meeting participated by the stakeholders of Chittagong port and chaired by the trade body's President Mahbubul Alam.
The Netherlands have lots of experience in water management and port development, Dutch Ambassador Gerben Sjoerd de Jong said. “We have been in discussion with the Bangladesh government to share our experiences on how to do this project in an effective way.”
Jan William Koeman, port planner of the Netherlands, emphasised building strong hinterland connectivity between Sonadia island in Cox's Bazar and different parts of the country through rail, road and waterways to get proper benefit from the proposed deep-sea port.
Captain Gias Uddin Chowdhury, general manager of the main line operator OOCL, proposed starting the work for infrastructure development and hinterland communication soon.  
“We cannot alone use the whole capacity and we have to find out more customers,” said Golam Sarwar, director for traffic of the Chittagong Port Authority, terming the deep-sea port a “big project with large capacity”. “The project will not be feasible if we fail to get customers.”
India and China have their own projects of setting up big ports, said Amirul Islam, representative of Bangladesh Freight Forwarders Association.
Representatives from Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association and Chittagong Customs House were also present.