As global ports race toward carbon neutrality, Bangladesh risks falling behind without a clear and proactive carbon management strategy. Across the world, maritime hubs are no longer just gateways for trade—they are becoming critical actors in the transition to low-carbon economies. Technologies such as Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) are at the centre of this transformation. For Bangladesh, where ports underpin economic growth, ignoring this shift is no longer an option.
Carbon management in ports goes beyond simple emission reduction. It involves capturing carbon dioxide (CO₂) from ships, cargo-handling equipment, and port-based industries; transporting it through pipelines or vessels; and either storing it in geological formations or reusing it in industrial processes. This approach is gaining momentum globally as carbon pricing rises and environmental regulations tighten. Yet despite its promise, CCUS remains expensive and commercially uncertain, slowing its adoption—especially in developing economies.
A useful regional comparison is India, which has already taken early steps toward carbon management. With a net-zero target set for 2070, India is piloting CCUS projects in sectors such as steel, cement, and oil refining, led by major industrial players and supported by policy institutions. While these efforts remain at an early stage due to high costs and limited infrastructure, they demonstrate a strategic recognition: carbon management will be essential for future industrial and maritime competitiveness. Bangladesh has yet to make a similar move in its port sector.
The relevance for Bangladesh is particularly acute. As one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, it has committed under its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Ports, along with power plants and industrial clusters, represent some of the largest and most concentrated emission sources. This makes them ideal entry points for carbon capture initiatives.
Although Bangladesh has yet to introduce a dedicated legal framework for carbon capture or port-specific carbon management, a number of existing laws and policy instruments provide an indirect foundation for climate mitigation. The Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act 1995 remains the principal statute governing environmental protection, pollution control, and emission regulation, while the Environment Conservation Rules 2023 set standards, including emission limits for industrial facilities. At the policy level, the Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (BCCSAP) 2009 outlines pathways for low-carbon development alongside adaptation measures. In addition, Bangladesh’s commitments under its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) signal an obligation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through technological and energy transitions. Maritime regulations addressing marine pollution from ships and port activities further contribute, albeit indirectly, to emission control. Taken together, these frameworks offer a starting point—but they fall short of providing the specific legal and regulatory certainty required for large-scale carbon management and CCUS deployment in the port sector.
Encouragingly, research suggests that carbon capture technologies can remove up to 90 percent of CO₂ emissions from industrial facilities when paired with suitable storage options such as deep saline aquifers. Bangladesh has already begun exploring this potential. The Matarbari ultra-supercritical coal power project, for instance, has considered integrated carbon capture systems, offering a glimpse into how large-scale emission reductions might be achieved. Such initiatives could serve as prototypes for port-based carbon management systems, particularly where ports and industrial zones intersect.
At the same time, Bangladesh possesses a natural advantage often overlooked in policy discussions: its ecosystems. The Sundarbans mangrove forest, one of the largest in the world, acts as a significant carbon sink, absorbing vast amounts of atmospheric CO₂. Protecting and restoring such ecosystems should be seen not as an alternative, but as a complementary pillar of a broader carbon management strategy.
Despite these opportunities, the policy landscape in Bangladesh remains incomplete. Existing laws—such as the Environment Conservation Act, environmental rules, and climate strategies—provide a general foundation for emission control. However, there is no dedicated legal or regulatory framework governing carbon capture, transport, utilisation, or long-term storage. This gap is critical. Without clear rules, investment in CCUS infrastructure—whether pipelines, storage facilities, or port-based capture systems—will remain unlikely.
For major ports such as Chattogram, Mongla, and Payra, the implications are significant. Carbon management could be integrated through emissions monitoring systems, on-board capture technologies for vessels, and the development of industrial CCUS hubs linked to nearby power plants and factories. Ports could also facilitate the transport of liquefied CO₂ and support industries that reuse captured carbon in construction materials or synthetic fuels. These are not distant possibilities—they are already being explored in leading global ports.
However, such transformation will not happen without deliberate policy action. The costs are high, the technology is evolving, and the risks are real. For a developing economy like Bangladesh, the challenge is not only technological but also financial and institutional. This is where international cooperation becomes essential. Access to climate finance, technology transfer, and partnerships with experienced port operators can significantly accelerate progress.
The stakes are not merely environmental—they are economic. As global shipping lines and logistics networks increasingly prioritise low-carbon routes and green ports, those unable to meet emerging standards may face reduced competitiveness. Bangladesh’s ports, which are central to its trade and industrial growth, cannot afford such a scenario.
Carbon management is no longer a futuristic concept; it is fast becoming a defining feature of modern port infrastructure. For Bangladesh, the question is not whether to adopt it, but how quickly and strategically it can do so. Establishing pilot projects, developing a dedicated regulatory framework, and integrating carbon accounting into port operations should be immediate priorities.
Without decisive action today, Bangladesh risks being left behind in the next generation of maritime development—where efficiency is measured not only in cargo throughput, but in carbon performance.
The author is an Assistant Manager for Estate at Chittagong Port Authority. The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author. He can be reached at [email protected].
