Nga Yoke Kaung region, about 100 miles southwest of Pathein city, was discovered as a potential site for a deep-sea port during the search for potential deep-sea ports on the west coast of Myanmar, especially below the coast of Rakhine State. It is also a good area to handle Myanmar’s maritime imports and build an industrial estate, according to exploration firms. The Nga Yoke Kaung Deep Sea Port Development Project is to be implemented to facilitate regional and international maritime.
In addition, if deep-sea ports and industrial zones could be created, it will create job opportunities for local people and improve their living standards and then the sustainable development of the country’s economy. Therefore, the construction of a deep-sea port in Nga Yoke Bay and related facilities in Ayeyarwady Region could be a gateway to the west coast of the country.
Therefore, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Myanmar Port Authority and Singapore-based Super Axis Development Pte., Ltd/ Sliver Wave Development Pte., Ltd on 5 August 2013 to conduct a feasibility study for the implementation of a deep-sea port in Nga Yoke Kaung Bay, Ayeyarwady region. The period of MoU is 12 months after the signing and Super Axis Development Pte., Ltd / Sliver Wave Development Pte., Ltd must submit a feasibility study report to the Myanmar Ports Authority during the MoU period, according to the MoU’s rule, but the company has terminated the MoU because it could not conduct a feasibility study.
At present, according to the proposal to implement as Supply Base from two Myanmar companies named Myint & Associate Company and SIM Company, the Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC) has already been approved and the Feasibility Study has finished.
The Government of Myanmar has been intending to implement the Kalagauk region as a deep-sea port for the past two decades. The Kalagauk region located in Mon State between Mawlamyaing city and Yay city is a promising area for deep-sea ports according to preliminary studies.
Kalagauk located in Mon State is in a very good geographical location for the deep-sea port connecting the East-West Corridor between the GMS and ASEAN and the South-North Corridor between China and ASEAN. In addition, it is rich in natural resources such as agriculture, forests, mining and fishery products.
Easy access to the sea route across the Indian Ocean to the western front of Myanmar and to promote the economic development of Mon State as well as the region of Kalagauk and the country. It can create job opportunities for local people and to improve their livelihoods as well and to sustain the development of the country’s economy.
Myanma Port Authority (MPA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Emerald Grand Hotel Co., Ltd. based in Thailand on 9th August 2013 to conduct the first feasibility study for the implementation of the Kalagauk Deep Sea Port. However, The Emerald Grand Hotel Co., Ltd has terminated the MoU due to the inability to conduct feasibility studies within the stipulated time.
Then, Thailand-based Centennial Energy (Thailand) Co., Ltd submitted a MoU to sign between Myanmar Port Authority and Centennial Energy Co., Ltd. and the MOU was signed on 24-7-2015 to conduct a feasibility study for the implementation of Kalagouk Deep Sea Port. However, under the terms of the MoU, Centennial Energy (Thailand) Co., Ltd has terminated the MoU due to its failure to pay the Performance Bank Guarantee of USD 100,000. Myanma Port Authority is working to implement the Kalagot Deep Sea Port.
Layout plan of Kalagauk deep sea port project
Map of Kalagauk deep sea port project