The Coal Power Generation Company Limited (CPGCL) has rejected a shipment of coal imported for the Matarbari coal-fired power plant after discovering a significant amount of soil mixed in the cargo. The rejected shipment, initially carrying 63,000 tons of coal, has been sent back to the outer anchorage of Chattogram Port.
The ultra-supercritical coal power plant spread across 1,600 acres on the shores of the Bay of Bengal in Matarbari, has a total capacity of 1,200 megawatts. The first unit began commercial operations in December 2022, followed by the second unit in August 2023.
According to CPGCL sources, an Indian firm awarded the contract through a tender was responsible for procuring the coal from Indonesia. However, upon inspection, a substantial amount of soil was found in the shipment, making the coal unsuitable for power generation.
“We have refused to accept the shipment and issued an official notice to the supplier on Friday,” said Nazmul Haque, Executive Director of the Matarbari Coal Power Plant Project.
The MV Orient Orchid transported the rejected coal, a vessel flying the CPA flag that entered the Matarbari channel on March 17. The Meghna Group of Companies operated the ship.
Port officials stated that the excess soil in the coal caused repeated malfunctions in the conveyor belt system for unloading.
CPA Dock Master Captain Abu Sufiyan confirmed that, following shipping company directives, the vessel was sent back to the outer anchorage.
By Abdur Rashid Manik
Photo: Collected
