The project will involve construction and operation of new vessels, establishment of jetties, and hot spots dredging to deepen the shallow parts of the Chindwin River.

It aims to develop a year-round, safe and reliable river transport system; increase safety level and standard; increase channel depth to enable the use of vessels with deeper draughts throughout the year, facilitate navigation to enable higher vessel speeds and navigable hours (such as night navigation), improve river port efficiency to enable faster throughput of cargoes, and facilitate shipbuilding technology transfer.

While Chindwin River has been a major passenger and cargo mode of transportation, it has been difficult to navigate because of shallow waters during the dry season, shifting navigation channels, and lack of terminal facilities. These conditions constrained the use of larger vessels, confined navigation to daylight hours and led unsafe smaller vessels to fill the gap.