Paira Sea Port

Paira Sea Port the 3rd seaport of Bangladesh is located just 5 km from the port on the west bank of the Rabnabad Channel in Lalua, Baliatali, Dhulasar, Dhankhali and Tiakhali Unions of Kalapara Upazila in Patuakhali District. The port was officially inaugurated on 19 November 2013 and its activities were officially launched on 13 August 2016.

The minimum depth of water on the way from Outer Anchorage of Paira sea port to Rabnabad Channel is about 5 meters. The depth inside the channel is 18 to 21 meters. Dredging in the 35 km area of the channel will create a seaport infrastructure for ships to come here at a depth of 18 meters (maximum 9.2 meters in Chattogram) and 300 meters in length (maximum 18 meters in Chattogram) at high tide. At present, about 200 ships operate in the 45 km channel annually. However, once the construction of the entire port is completed, more than 50 ships will be able to operate every day. The entire Paira Sea Port container, bulk, general cargo, LNG, petroleum and passenger terminal are built on an area of about 6,000 acres. At the same time, there will be immense scope for development of economic zones, readymade garments, pharmaceuticals, cement, coal-fired power plants, fisheries processing zones, fertilizer factories, oil refineries and shipbuilding industries, power generation, special opportunities will be created for huge employment, food supply in the southern districts, transit facilities and economic corridors, Kuakata-centric tourism industry, natural disaster management and, above all, the expansion of the Blue Economy.

In other ports, ships will have to rely on high tides, but cargo ships will be able to move effortlessly in Paira Port. Due to the high depth, this route has 24 hours shipping. Due to this the economic importance of this port is high. A self-contained and modern naval base next to the country's third seaport will have naval commando, aviation, ship and submarine berthing facilities. As this base is in the middle of the coastal region of the country, it will be possible to conduct surveillance in the vast sea areas of the country by conducting naval aviation activities from this port. Apart from ensuring maritime security in the south, the navy will be able to conduct special operations to curb crime in the Sundarbans and adjoining areas. Besides, it will play an important role in protecting the lives and property of the common people during natural calamities. [Muhammad Abdul Mazid]