Payra Port Navigability Crisis Persists Despite Tk16,000 Crore Investment
Summary Bangladesh’s Payra Port continues to face restrictions on large-vessel access despite investment of around Tk16,000 crore over 13 years. Rapid sedimentation has reduced channel depth, increasing reliance on smaller vessels for cargo movement.…
Bangladesh’s Payra Port continues to face restrictions on large-vessel access despite investment of around Tk16,000 crore over 13 years. Rapid sedimentation has reduced channel depth, increasing reliance on smaller vessels for cargo movement. A proposed Tk4,662 crore dredging programme remains awaiting a decision as terminal and road infrastructure moves towards completion.
The Payra Port navigability crisis continues to constrain the use of Bangladesh’s southern seaport, with sediment accumulation undermining access through the 75-kilometre Rabnabad Channel connecting the port with the Bay of Bengal.
Charts for May 2026 indicated average water depths of approximately 5.4–5.9 metres, substantially below the level achieved through earlier capital dredging. These measurements describe conditions at that time; they should not be treated as a current sailing advisory.
Restricted access requires cargo to be transferred to smaller vessels, adding handling stages and transport costs for users, including nearby coal-fired power plants.
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