Bangladesh Approves $1 Billion Green Dockyard at Matarbari Deep-Sea Port

Cox\'s Bazar, Bangladesh: Bangladesh has approved plans to develop a $1 billion (approximately Tk 123 billion) Green Dockyard and Shipbuilding Facility at the under-construction Matarbari Deep-Sea Port in Maheshkhali, Cox\'s Bazar, marking one of the country\'s largest maritime infrastructure investments.

The Ministry of Shipping has granted final approval for the project, officially titled \"A Green Dockyard and Shipbuilding Facility.\" The environmentally sustainable ship repair complex will be developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) using the landlord model, with Australia\'s AIS Marine Investments Pty Ltd. serving as the lead investor.

Major Maritime Hub

The proposed facility will be located on approximately 200 acres of Chittagong Port Authority-owned land on the western side of the 1,200 MW Matarbari Coal Power Plant, adjacent to the Bay of Bengal. The project includes the construction of a 600-meter-long and 95-meter-wide flagship dry dock, capable of accommodating and repairing large ocean-going commercial vessels.

Officials say the dockyard will significantly enhance the operational capacity of the Matarbari Deep-Sea Port while positioning Bangladesh as a regional maritime repair and logistics hub.

Boost to Blue Economy

According to the Chittagong Port Authority, the Green Dockyard will strengthen Bangladesh\'s growing Blue Economy by providing world-class docking, maintenance, and repair services for international merchant fleets, as well as vessels operated by the Bangladesh Navy and Coast Guard.

Currently, large vessels requiring major repairs must travel to ports in Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, or China. Once operational, the Matarbari facility is expected to reduce repair time and operational costs while generating substantial foreign exchange earnings through international ship servicing.

Employment and Industrial Growth

The project is expected to create approximately 1,200–1,300 direct jobs for engineers and skilled technicians, alongside an estimated 2,600 indirect employment opportunities across the maritime supply chain.

Authorities also expect the project to stimulate local industries, including steel manufacturing, marine engineering, logistics, and small and medium-sized maritime enterprises, supporting the government\'s broader vision of transforming the Matarbari region into a major Energy, Port, and Logistics Hub.

Environmentally Sustainable Design

As Bangladesh\'s first institutional Green Dockyard, the project has been designed with environmental sustainability as a core objective.

The facility will comply with the International Maritime Organization\'s (IMO) Net Zero Framework, the Green Voyage 2050 initiative, and internationally recognized ISO environmental standards.

Planned sustainability features include:

• Low-emission energy systems

• Closed-loop wastewater treatment facilities

• Advanced hazardous waste management technology

• Modern pollution control systems designed to protect the coastal marine ecosystem and biodiversity of Maheshkhali and Cox\'s Bazar

Government Endorsement

The Ministry of Industries has already issued a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the project following an inter-ministerial meeting. The Ministry of Shipping has subsequently provided policy approval and forwarded the proposal to the PPP Authority for expedited implementation.

Officials emphasized that the project will be implemented under a PPP framework without sovereign debt exposure, making it a financially sustainable infrastructure investment.

Strategic Importance

Port officials believe the Green Dockyard will play a crucial role in improving navigation safety across the Bay of Bengal by enabling rapid emergency repairs for damaged vessels, minimizing disruptions to port operations and shipping lanes.

Once completed, the project is expected to position Bangladesh as a competitive regional maritime service hub, reducing dependence on foreign shipyards while supporting sustainable industrialization, international trade, and long-term economic growth.