What Payra Port Authority does

Payra Port Authority (পায়রা বন্দর কর্তৃপক্ষ) is a government-owned statutory body under the Ministry of Shipping of the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, operating Bangladesh's third major seaport at Kalapara, Patuakhali district, with maritime access to the Bay of Bengal via the Rabnabad Channel. The authority provides core port services including ship handling, cargo operations, navigation and pilotage, hydrographic surveying, buoy laying, and port security to shipping companies, vessel operators, importers, exporters, shipping agents, and C&F (Customs, Excise and VAT) agents. It positions itself as a strategic alternative to Chittagong and Mongla ports, targeting congestion relief and economic development in southern Bangladesh.

The authority's core technology stack is built around port management and maritime operations infrastructure, including navigation systems, hydrographic surveying capabilities, and dredging operations maintained through a PPP with Payra Dredging Company Limited. PPA runs internal digital systems for requisition management (rds.ppa.gov.bd), training management (tms.ppa.gov.bd), webmail, and an IT service desk, alongside integration with Bangladesh government e-governance platforms including ASYCUDA World for customs, D-Nothi for document management, e-GP for procurement, and GPMS for performance monitoring. The port is in active development with multiple infrastructure projects underway, including the DISF (Development of Sustainable and Safe Port Infrastructure) project, PPFT (Port Planning and Feasibility Study), a solar power generation project, and a Port Master Plan being developed with BRTC-BUET.

PPA generates revenue through transaction fees on port services, including ship handling, cargo handling, navigation charges, and port facility usage fees, with rates set by government regulation rather than market pricing. The authority operates as a direct service provider with a small administrative team (37 employees) and pursues an enterprise/government field-sales motion, engaging shipping companies, importers/exporters, and logistics operators through direct provision of services at the port location. Strategic partnerships span capital infrastructure (Khulna Shipyard for vessel construction, Payra Dredging Company for channel maintenance), financing (BIDF, Sonali Bank), training (BIAM Foundation, BPATC), and government oversight (Ministry of Shipping, Department of Shipping, Cabinet Division). As a government statutory body, PPA is wholly state-owned with no private equity, venture capital, or public shareholders.

Name

Payra Port Authority

Legal name

Payra Port Authority

Website

https://ppa.gov.bd

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Payra Port Authority is the Bangladesh government statutory body operating the country's third seaport at Kalapara, Patuakhali, providing ship handling, cargo handling, navigation, and dredging services to shipping companies, importers, exporters, and maritime logistics operators under the Ministry of Shipping.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Port Operations and Maritime Services

NAICS

Port and Harbor Operations (488310), Port and Harbor Operations (48831), Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883), Navigational Services to Shipping (488330)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Maritime & Port Authorities (Public Ports, Harbors, Ferries Terminals) (BPAIALAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Port Call Operations & Berth/Service Scheduling Liaison (Terminal, Pilots, Tugs) (TLAHAJAK), Port Dues, Permitting & Regulatory Clearances (TLAHAFAD), Fresh Water Supply & Potable Water Delivery Coordination (TLAHAJAD), Port Equipment Operations (Crane Operators, RTG/RMG, Straddle Carrier Operations) (TLAHALAE)

Keywords

• Port operations services
• Maritime cargo handling
• Vessel navigation services
• Port dredging operations
• Seaport authority management

Headquarters

HQ city

Payra (Kalapara)

HQ country

Bangladesh

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Port Services Revenue: Revenue generated through various port services including ship handling, cargo handling fees, navigation charges, and port facility usage fees. The port operates under the Ministry of Shipping as a government authority.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Payra Port Authority (পায়রা বন্দর কর্তৃপক্ষ) operates Bangladesh's third major seaport located at Kalapara, Patuakhali district, providing ship handling, cargo operations, vessel navigation and pilotage, buoy laying, hydrographic surveying, and port security services. The authority also manages the Rabnabad Channel under a PPP arrangement with Payra Dredging Company Limited to maintain navigable depths for maritime access to the Bay of Bengal. Services are provided to shipping companies, importers, exporters, and logistics operators under the regulatory oversight of the Ministry of Shipping.

Product overview

Payra Port Authority operates as Bangladesh's third seaport, providing comprehensive port operations and maritime services. The port handles ship handling, cargo operations, navigation, and related services. The organization maintains digital infrastructure including internal systems for requisition management, training management, web mail, and IT service desk operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Port Operations and Maritime Services Core port authority services including ship handling, cargo operations, vessel navigation and pilotage, buoy laying, hydrographic surveying, dredging maintenance of the Rabnabad Channel, and port security. Services are provided to shipping companies, importers, exporters, shipping agents, and C&F (Customs, Excise and VAT) agents operating at Payra Port.

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Khulna Shipyard LimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 February 2024Contract signed on 12 February 2024 for construction of Survey Vessel and Pilot Vessel for Payra Port Authority's fleet. Khulna Shipyard will build vessels essential for port navigation and survey operations.
• Khulna Shipyard LimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 January 2022Contract signed on 19 January 2022 for construction of two 70-ton bollard pull tug boats. Partnership to enhance port's vessel handling capabilities.
• Payra Dredging Company LimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 January 2019PPP partnership for capital and maintenance dredging of Rabnabad Channel. The agreement signed on 14 January 2019 is a national priority project for maintaining navigable depths at Payra Port. This partnership ensures continuous channel maintenance essential for port operations.
• BIAM Foundation (Bangladesh Institute of Administration and Management)supportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTraining partner for foundational training courses for PPA officers and employees. BIAM has conducted multiple training batches including 21-day foundational courses at their Cox's Bazar and Bogura facilities.
• BPATC (Bangladesh Public Administration Training Centre), SavarsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTraining partner for foundational training courses for PPA officers. BPATC conducted 21-day foundational training courses for officers of Payra Port Authority at their Savar facility.
• DEME GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational maritime and dredging company that visited Payra Port on 14 October 2025, indicating potential partnership for port development and dredging operations.
• Viya GroupsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerGroup of companies that visited Payra Port on 05 August 2025 expressing interest in port operations and potential business opportunities.
• Cabinet Division, BangladeshcoreOthersParent government body overseeing autonomous agencies including PPA. Responsible for administrative matters, GPMS, and e-governance initiatives.
• Ministry of Shipping, BangladeshcoreOthersLine ministry responsible for policy direction, oversight, and coordination of port operations. Various ministry officials have conducted visits to the port for inspection and review.
• Department of Shipping, BangladeshcoreOthersRegulatory body for maritime affairs, vessel registration, and shipping industry oversight. Part of the external links network supporting port operations.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Matarbari Deep Sea Port (Bangladesh): Planned deep-sea port in Cox's Bazar district under Chittagong Port Authority, targeting similar capacity overflow as Payra. Comparable in being a new deep-sea facility built to relieve Chittagong congestion.
• Bangladesh Land Port Authority: State authority under the same Ministry of Shipping managing land customs and freight crossings. Comparable in providing statutory cross-border trade infrastructure in Bangladesh, but focused on land rather than maritime flows.

Broad incumbents

• PSA International: Global port operator with flagship at Singapore, providing container and multi-purpose cargo handling. Comparable in operating deep-sea container terminals with vessel scheduling, berth planning, and port dues infrastructure.
• DP World: Global port operator with a portfolio of marine terminals handling containers, bulk, and general cargo. Comparable in providing integrated port services including cargo handling, navigation, and terminal operations at scale.
• Hutchison Ports: Global port operator with deep-sea container terminals worldwide. Comparable in providing vessel scheduling, terminal operations, cargo handling, and port dues at scale for international shipping lines.

Regional players

• Adani Ports and SEZ: India's largest port operator handling cargo across multiple Indian ports. Comparable in offering port authority functions, cargo handling, and vessel services across a network of terminals, serving a regional market adjacent to Bangladesh.
• Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (Kolkata Port): Major Indian sea port on the Bay of Bengal handling bulk, container, and break-bulk cargo. Comparable in serving Bay of Bengal trade flows with the same customer base of shipping lines and C&F agents in the same geography.

Direct peers

• Chittagong Port Authority: Bangladesh's primary seaport authority, operating under the same Ministry of Shipping with the same mandate of ship handling, cargo operations, and navigation services. Directly comparable in governance, customer base (shipping lines, C&F agents), and regulatory structure.
• Mongla Port Authority: Bangladesh's second state-owned seaport authority serving the southwestern region. Offers the same port operations, cargo handling, and vessel services under analogous statutory structure, directly competing for hinterland cargo.

Others

• Payra Dredging Company Limited: PPP partner holding the capital and maintenance dredging concession for Payra's Rabnabad Channel. Not a peer but an enabling partner whose operational continuity directly determines Payra's navigability.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/payraportauthority

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Payra Port Authority