Mongla Port came in to existence on 1st December 1950 in the name of Chalna Port by the Gazette Notification dated 29 September 1950 under the Ministry of Communications of the then Pakistan Government. A British Merchant Ship “The City of Lyons” anchored at joymonigoal on December 11, 1950. Since then Port started functioning as an anchorage. On March 17, 1951 the anchorage ground was shifted near Chalna Bazar 22m. Upstream and continued functioning there till 1954. But the anchorage ground being unsuitable for operation and as such the port was shifted to its present location near Mongla Nulla 16KM. Downstream from the previous site on June 20, 1954. To provide the facilities of modern port 5 jetties were constructed at Mongla in 1965-66 with shore based facilities.
Chalna Port was under Government Directorate till May 1977. As an autonomous organization named “Chalna Port Authority” under the Ministry of Communication vide ordinance issued in 1976. Subsequently an amendment of the above ordinance was made on 24 March 1982, renaming the Chalna Port Authority as the “Port of Chalna Authority”. Again, by Bangladesh Extra Ordinary Gazette Notification dated 8th March 1987, the name of Port of Chalna was substituted by “Mongla Port “ and Mongla Port Authority respectively.
Port Management:
Mongla Port Authority (MPA) is suited on the south western part of Bangladesh at the confluence of Pussur River and Mongla Nulla, approximately 71 nautical miles upstream from the Bay of Bengal and about 45Km. in the south of Khulna Metropolitan city. Mongla Port can serve the entire western part of Bangladesh as well as extended its service to the border areas of India, Nepal & Bhutan as its hinterland. For its geographical situation Mongla Port is considered as most eco-friendly port well protected from natural calamity by world famous forest of Sunderban which has been declared as World Heritage by UNESCO. Mongla Port is administrated by an autonomous body under the administrative control of Ministry of Shipping, Government of Bangladesh. Management of the Port vest in a board consisting of Chairman as its executive head and three other members: Member (Engineering and Development), Member (Operation) & Member (Finance) appointed by the government. For smooth manning of port activities there are twelve departments working under the port authority.
Port Facilities:
Port provides facilities of 5 jetties 600 feet each in length and 3 container yard of 35,529 sqm, 2 warehouse of 9,630 sqm, 4 transit shed of 9628 sqm. and refer plug points 120 numbers with standby power generator and different types of cargo handling equipment are available to handle cargo in the port. Port channel can provide facilities for maneuvering ships having length of 225m. and draft upto 8.5m. seagoing ships. Mongla Port can provide berth for 34 sea going ships at a time. Moreover, jetties in port based industries can accommodate berth to additional 7 nos. of ships. Mongla Port is in a unique position to serve regional as well as global sea trade as a whole.
http://www.monglaport.gov.bd