The New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) at Chattogram Port will remain under domestic management for six months before its expected handover to a foreign operator.
The decision was given policy-level approval during a meeting of the Economic Affairs Advisory Council held on Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters following the meeting, Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed confirmed that the terminal would be operated under a short-term arrangement before any international agreement is finalized.
Maritime Affairs Adviser Brigadier General (Retd.) M Sakhawat Hossain, who also attended the meeting, stated that the Chattogram Port Authority would decide who will operate the terminal during this interim period.
However, he noted that the operator would not be selected through a competitive bidding process but rather via direct procurement, limited to a six-month tenure. A final decision is expected on Wednesday.
The NCT has been operated by a local private firm, Saif Powertec Ltd., for the past 17 years. Their current contract is set to expire on July 6. According to sources in the Ministry of Shipping, the Bangladesh Navy is likely to take over operations from July 7, working in coordination with the port authority.
The terminal is Bangladesh’s largest, featuring five jetties that can simultaneously accommodate four ocean-going vessels and one inland ship.
It plays a crucial role in container handling, including loading, unloading, and transferring cargo.
Earlier, on June 18, the Ministry of Shipping decided to run the terminal directly under the port’s management and sought government approval for a six-month budget of BDT 420 million (approximately BDT 70 million per month). However, that plan was later dropped.
Instead, during a meeting held on Saturday between port officials and the maritime affairs adviser, a policy decision was made to have the Navy operate the terminal temporarily with port assistance.
Under the previous government, plans were initiated to hand over the NCT to UAE-based DP World. The current interim government is continuing that process, with the signing of a final agreement anticipated by November.
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, is acting as the transaction advisor on behalf of the Government of Bangladesh.
Until the deal is finalized, the terminal is expected to remain under domestic control, most likely managed by the Navy to ensure continuity of port operations.
