Barguna: The much-awaited Payra seaport in southern region will start its experimental operation by unloading goods from commercial ships on Monday, said a BSS report.

“MV-Fortune Bird” will be the first commercial ship to anchor at the seaport’s Ramnabad channel tomorrow and goods will be unloaded the same day, a port authority official quoted by BSS.

Formal activities at the seaport will start on August 13 and full-fledged activities are expected to commence by 2018, the authority said.

250-metre long ship will be able to enter the seaport and it will have round the clock opportunity for movement of ships, said Captain Saidur Rahman, chairman of the port authority.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the country’s third seaport at Ramnabad Channel under Kalapara upazila of Patuakhali district in November, 2013.