Bangladesh backs Matarbari shipbuilding and shiprepair hub

Bangladesh has taken a step towards developing a major shipbuilding and shiprepair centre at Matarbari deep-sea port after granting in-principle approval to a privately financed project valued at USD 1 billion (EUR 879 million). The Ministry of Shipping has forwarded the proposal for the Matarbari Green Dockyard and Shipbuilding Facility to the Public-Private Partnership Authority for technical and financial appraisal.

The unsolicited proposal envisages a 200-acre facility on land owned by the Chattogram Port Authority. Under the proposed landlord model, the authority would retain ownership of the land and fixed assets, while infrastructure developed by the private investor would transfer to the state at the end of the concession period.

Australia-based AIS Marine Investments has been identified as the proposed financier, while China Harbour Engineering Company would act as technical partner. Authorities have yet to disclose a construction schedule or concession term.

Plans call for a drydock measuring 600m by 95m, large enough to accommodate the commercial vessels expected to use Matarbari and other Bangladeshi ports, as well as ships operating across the Bay of Bengal. The facility would provide shipbuilding, scheduled docking and emergency repair services, reducing reliance on overseas yards in Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and China for larger vessels.

The Ministry of Industries has already issued a no-objection certificate following an interministerial review. The Government has stated that the project would proceed without creating state debt obligations.

If it secures the remaining approvals, the development is expected to generate between 1,200 and 1,300 direct jobs and approximately 2,600 indirect jobs, supporting Bangladesh’s ambition to expand domestic maritime industrial capability.