Government approves interim management by Chattogram Port Authority until a new operator is appointed

Dhaka, July 1 —
The government has decided to operate the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) at Chattogram Port under the direct management of the Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) for the next six months, or until a new operator is appointed. The decision was approved during a meeting of the Economic Affairs Advisory Council held at the Secretariat on Tuesday, chaired by Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, Advisor on Finance and Science & Technology.

The proposal to operate the terminal under CPA’s internal management was submitted by the Ministry of Shipping. It was placed under the provisions of the Public Procurement Act 2006 and the Chattogram Port Authority Act 2022. The Economic Affairs Advisory Council reviewed and approved the proposal during the meeting. Following the session, the Finance Advisor informed journalists that the proposal concerning the NCT had received formal approval.

Brigadier General (Retd.) M Sakhawat Hossain, Advisor on Shipping, informed reporters that the port authority itself will determine who will operate the terminal during this period. He clarified that the operation would not be awarded through a tendering process but via direct procurement for a six-month term. A conclusive decision on the matter is expected on Wednesday.

The New Mooring Container Terminal, which includes five jetties and an overflow yard, has been operated by a local private company for the past 17 years. The current operator, Saif Powertec Limited, is set to complete its contract term on July 6.

The terminal is the largest of its kind in Bangladesh. Its five jetties are capable of handling four seagoing vessels and one inland waterway vessel simultaneously. The terminal plays a vital role in national logistics, facilitating the loading, unloading, and transfer of containers from vessels at the port.

In the absence of a new private operator, the government has deemed it necessary for the CPA to take over temporary operations in order to maintain smooth and uninterrupted functioning of port activities. The move is seen as a strategic measure to ensure the continued efficiency of a key logistical hub while maintaining oversight and control during the transitional period.

The CPA’s temporary management is expected to stabilize operations at the terminal, prevent disruptions in cargo handling, and offer the government time to assess future operational models for the facility.

The decision comes amid broader discussions on port modernization and the role of private operators in managing critical infrastructure. While the CPA prepares to take over immediate operations, further policy decisions regarding long-term management of the NCT are expected in the coming months.