Bangladesh is building its first ocean satellite ground station at Chittagong University, with half of the construction already completed under Chinese technical support.
The Tk 70 crore project, which includes over Tk 60 crore worth of technology and equipment supplied by China, aims to transform disaster forecasting and marine resource management. Officials said the station will directly access China’s HY–1SI/D and FY–4B satellites, reducing the current 20 to 30-hour delay in data delivery from foreign sources to just 10 to 15 minutes.
Chittagong University oceanography department coordinator Professor Mohammad Moslem Uddin said the initiative would sharply reduce disaster risks in coastal areas. “This facility will eliminate dependence on foreign sources. It will deliver rapid and reliable data to significantly reduce risks in coastal areas,” he said.
University authorities confirmed that civil work is 50 percent complete, while installation of imported equipment is under way. Vice-Chancellor Professor Muhammad Yahya Akhter inaugurated construction on 26 March, calling it “a new horizon for Bangladesh. ”
The station is expected to provide early cyclone warnings 48 to 72 hours in advance and generate vital marine data such as sea surface temperature, salinity, currents and chlorophyll density—critical for identifying fishing zones and managing fisheries. Experts said it will also assist in oil and gas exploration, flood modelling and climate studies, strengthening the blue economy and directly contributing to Sustainable Development Goal 14.
Chittagong University is financing infrastructure, security and operations. According to the project plan, the station could later evolve into a regional marine data hub under the SGSMRS 2035 master plan, with future goals including an AI-based cyclone forecasting system and a second data centre in Cox’s Bazar.
Professor Moslem Uddin said operations are expected to begin in early 2026, though challenges remain. “We need stronger internet and power services to run this facility. A high-capacity generator has been arranged from China, and talks are ongoing with service providers,” he said. Skilled manpower is another concern, with China agreeing to supply experts for the first two years while Bangladeshi staff are trained.
Officials believe the project will set a precedent in South Asia, making Bangladesh a central player in marine data collection and disaster preparedness, while opening new frontiers in ocean research and resource management.