<p data-path-to-node="4" id="p-rc_44959b34f241c5bf-84"><span data-path-to-node="4,0"><b data-path-to-node="4,0" data-index-in-node="0"><span class="citation-132">DHAKA</span></b><span class="citation-132"> — In a strategic push to decongest key arterial freight corridors and fast-track textile shipments to global markets, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), together with the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA), has formally inaugurated the newly expanded and digitized container handling terminal at the Pangaon Inland Container Port (PICP) on the Buriganga River</span></span><span data-path-to-node="4,1"><span class="citation-132 citation-end-132"><source-footnote ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c4206788496=""><sup _ngcontent-ng-c4206788496="" class="superscript" data-turn-source-index="4"><!----></sup></source-footnote></span></span><span data-path-to-node="4,2">. </span><span data-path-to-node="4,3"><span class="citation-131"></span></span><span data-path-to-node="4,4">The operational overhaul modernizes Bangladesh's primary inland waterway gateway, providing direct, high-capacity riverine barge transit connecting the industrial core around Dhaka directly to deepwater ocean terminals at Chattogram and Matarbari</span><span data-path-to-node="4,5"><span class="citation-131 citation-end-131"><source-footnote ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c4206788496=""><sup _ngcontent-ng-c4206788496="" class="superscript" data-turn-source-index="5"><!----></sup></source-footnote></span></span><span data-path-to-node="4,6">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3416727296=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><h4 data-path-to-node="5"><b>Upgraded Heavy-Lift Capacity and Riverine Infrastructure</b></h4><p data-path-to-node="6" id="p-rc_44959b34f241c5bf-85"><span data-path-to-node="6,0"><span class="citation-130"></span></span><span data-path-to-node="6,1">The newly expanded terminal infrastructure at Pangaon addresses longstanding handling constraints with advanced quayside cargo technology</span><span data-path-to-node="6,2"><span class="citation-130 citation-end-130"><source-footnote ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c4206788496=""><sup _ngcontent-ng-c4206788496="" class="superscript" data-turn-source-index="6"><!----></sup></source-footnote></span></span><span data-path-to-node="6,3">. Key infrastructure enhancements include:</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3416727296=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><ul data-path-to-node="7"><li><p data-path-to-node="7,0,0"><span class="citation-129"></span></p><p data-path-to-node="7,0,1" id="p-rc_44959b34f241c5bf-86"><span data-path-to-node="7,0,1,0"><b data-path-to-node="7,0,1,0" data-index-in-node="0"><span class="citation-129">High-Capacity Mobile Harbor Cranes (MHCs):</span></b><span class="citation-129"> Installation of four high-outreach mobile harbor cranes and rubber-tired gantry (RTG) yard cranes capable of dual-lift container transfers, boosting quay handling speed to over 28 moves per crane hour</span></span><span data-path-to-node="7,0,1,1"><span class="citation-129 citation-end-129"><source-footnote ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c4206788496=""><sup _ngcontent-ng-c4206788496="" class="superscript" data-turn-source-index="7"><!----></sup></source-footnote></span></span><span data-path-to-node="7,0,1,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3416727296=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="7,1,0"><span class="citation-128"></span></p><p data-path-to-node="7,1,1" id="p-rc_44959b34f241c5bf-87"><span data-path-to-node="7,1,1,0"><b data-path-to-node="7,1,1,0" data-index-in-node="0"><span class="citation-128">Dedicated River Barge Fleet Scheduling:</span></b><span class="citation-128"> Deployment of a fixed-day, scheduled container feeder barge service operating on a guaranteed 24-hour river transit loop between Pangaon and Chattogram port berths</span></span><span data-path-to-node="7,1,1,1"><span class="citation-128 citation-end-128"><source-footnote ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c4206788496=""><sup _ngcontent-ng-c4206788496="" class="superscript" data-turn-source-index="8"><!----></sup></source-footnote></span></span><span data-path-to-node="7,1,1,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3416727296=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="7,2,0"><b data-path-to-node="7,2,0" data-index-in-node="0">Expanded Holding Yard:</b> Yard capacity has been increased to 12,000 TEUs, featuring specialized reefer plug-in stations for temperature-controlled agro-food and specialty garment exports.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="7,3,0"><b data-path-to-node="7,3,0" data-index-in-node="0">All-Weather Navigational Dredging:</b> Maintenance dredging along the Buriganga and Meghna river channels ensuring a guaranteed draft of at least 4.5 meters year-round, allowing fully laden inland container barges to operate without tidal delays.</p></li></ul><h4 data-path-to-node="8"><b>Relieving Highway Congestion along the Dhaka–Chattogram Corridor</b></h4><p data-path-to-node="9" id="p-rc_44959b34f241c5bf-88"><span data-path-to-node="9,0"><span class="citation-127"></span></span><span data-path-to-node="9,1">The expansion directly diverts heavy commercial vehicular traffic away from the heavily saturated Dhaka–Chattogram highway corridor</span><span data-path-to-node="9,2"><span class="citation-127 citation-end-127"><source-footnote ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c4206788496=""><sup _ngcontent-ng-c4206788496="" class="superscript" data-turn-source-index="9"><!----></sup></source-footnote></span></span><span data-path-to-node="9,3">. </span><span data-path-to-node="9,4"><span class="citation-126"></span></span><span data-path-to-node="9,5">Prior to the upgrade, over 80% of containerized export-import cargo moved via road transit, routinely encountering severe traffic bottlenecks, prolonged highway transit times, and elevated freight transport costs</span><span data-path-to-node="9,6"><span class="citation-126 citation-end-126"><source-footnote ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c4206788496=""><sup _ngcontent-ng-c4206788496="" class="superscript" data-turn-source-index="10"><!----></sup></source-footnote></span></span><span data-path-to-node="9,7">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3416727296=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><p data-path-to-node="10">With the upgraded river terminal fully operational:</p><ul data-path-to-node="11"><li><p data-path-to-node="11,0,0"><span class="citation-125"></span></p><p data-path-to-node="11,0,1" id="p-rc_44959b34f241c5bf-89"><span data-path-to-node="11,0,1,0"><b data-path-to-node="11,0,1,0" data-index-in-node="0"><span class="citation-125">Cost Efficiency for RMG Exporters:</span></b><span class="citation-125"> Bangladesh's ready-made garment (RMG) manufacturers located across Gazipur, Narayanganj, and Savar achieve estimated freight savings of 30% to 35% compared to road haulage</span></span><span data-path-to-node="11,0,1,1"><span class="citation-125 citation-end-125"><source-footnote ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c4206788496=""><sup _ngcontent-ng-c4206788496="" class="superscript" data-turn-source-index="11"><!----></sup></source-footnote></span></span><span data-path-to-node="11,0,1,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3416727296=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="11,1,0"><span class="citation-124"></span></p><p data-path-to-node="11,1,1" id="p-rc_44959b34f241c5bf-90"><span data-path-to-node="11,1,1,0"><b data-path-to-node="11,1,1,0" data-index-in-node="0"><span class="citation-124">Carbon Emissions Reduction:</span></b><span class="citation-124"> Shifting heavy container movements from diesel road trailers to river barges lowers transport sector emissions by up to 60% per transported container TEU</span></span><span data-path-to-node="11,1,1,1"><span class="citation-124 citation-end-124"><source-footnote ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c4206788496=""><sup _ngcontent-ng-c4206788496="" class="superscript" data-turn-source-index="12"><!----></sup></source-footnote></span></span><span data-path-to-node="11,1,1,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3416727296=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="11,2,0"><b data-path-to-node="11,2,0" data-index-in-node="0">Predictable Port Feeder Schedules:</b> Riverine barges dock directly at Chittagong Port's export berths, enabling synchronized ship-to-barge transfer that prevents ocean container roll-overs during peak global fashion shipping cycles.</p></li></ul><h4 data-path-to-node="12"><b>Integrated Customs and Bonded Warehouse Processing</b></h4><p data-path-to-node="13">To further accelerate trade throughput, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) has activated an on-site dedicated 24/7 Automated Customs Clearance Unit at Pangaon. Shippers can now complete all export documentation, customs physical assessments, and digital seal verifications directly within the inland river port premises, allowing containers to transfer straight onto outbound international mother vessels at seaports without secondary inspection holds.</p><p data-path-to-node="14">BIWTA officials noted that the upgraded Pangaon terminal serves as the blueprint for an expanded inland waterway container grid across Bangladesh, reinforcing sustainable multimodal connectivity across South Asian trade networks.</p>