'Ctg port may start allowing 10-metre draft vessels soon'

The Chattogram port may soon get go-ahead to accommodate 200-metre vessels with up to 10-metre draft, said Rear Admiral M Shahjahan, chairman of the Chattogram Port Authority.

Currently, the premier seaport of the country, has the capacity of accommodating 190-metre vessels with a maximum 9.5-metre draft, the vertical distance between the waterline and the bottom of the ship's hull.

UK-based firm HR Wallingford has been conducting a survey on the 'Detail Hydrological and Hydraulic Study in River Karnaphuli' stretching from the port's outer anchorage to Kaptai Dam on the river Karnaphuli.

The firm is expected to submit its final report by June and after receiving its report the port authority would decide to allow bigger vessels, he said.

Shahjahan shared the information in a meeting with the journalists today on the occasion of 135th Port Day to be observed tomorrow.

Sources said the survey team has verbally informed the authority that the port can allow vessels with 10-metre draft.

In his speech, the port chairman also highlighted the steps taken by the authority to enhance the port's efficiency and capacity.