A groundbreaking ceremony took place on Thursday at Mongla Port in southwestern Bangladesh, launching a China‑financed expansion of the country’s oldest deep‑water port. The project, undertaken by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, a subsidiary of China Railway Construction Corporation, will add two large container berths, upgrade digital infrastructure, and install 49 sets of port‑handling equipment.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman highlighted the expansion as a key driver for the region’s economic development. “The project will further enhance the port’s overall service capacity, reduce logistics costs, boost investment and employment, and promote economic development in Bangladesh’s southwestern region,” he said. He underscored that Bangladesh‑China friendship is built on mutual respect and shared development, and that the two nations have already forged practical cooperation in infrastructure and trade.
Dai Hegen, chairman of China Railway Construction Corporation, noted that the project would follow green construction practices and strengthen ties with local partners. He said the company’s aim is to deliver a high‑quality project and help transform Mongla Port into a modern maritime hub linking the Bay of Bengal to the wider South Asian region.
Song Yang, economic and commercial counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh, added that the expansion is a significant milestone in practical cooperation between the two countries. He said the project would further improve the port’s digitalization, modernization, and specialized operations, raising overall service capacity and operational efficiency. He also noted that the work will deepen bilateral cooperation in infrastructure, trade, and investment.
The expansion plan calls for two 20,000‑deadweight‑ton container berths, a supporting container yard, auxiliary facilities, and digital upgrades to process cargo more efficiently. Once completed, the capacity will reach roughly 350,000 twenty‑foot equivalent units (TEUs) annually, with a contractual construction period of 42 months.
Officials said the project would create jobs for local workers and boost regional trade flows, enhancing the southwestern region’s role within Bangladesh’s national economy. The expansion is expected to cement Mongla Port’s position as a critical gateway for South Asian maritime commerce and to strengthen economic ties between Bangladesh and China.
