Sangsad Bhaban, July 13 -- Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam on Monday said the under-construction Matarbari Deep Seaport in Cox's Bazar is expected to transform the country's maritime trade by enabling large mother vessels to call directly at a Bangladeshi port, significantly reducing dependence on foreign transhipment ports.

Replying to a question from Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami MP Md Nurul Islam (Chapainawabganj-3) in Parliament, he said the construction of the deep seaport is progressing with the goal of commencing operations by 2029.

The minister said the port will feature a modern container terminal and a navigational channel with a depth of about 16 metres.

Once operational, the port will be capable of accommodating container...