The New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) at Chattogram Port will be operated under local management for six months before being handed over to a foreign operator, as per a decision by the Advisers Council Committee on Economic Affairs on Tuesday.
Economic Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed said the committee granted policy approval for the interim operation to ensure a smooth transition. Shipping Adviser Brig Gen (Retd) M Sakhawat Hossain added that the Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) will decide on the operator during this period.
The six-month operation will proceed under a direct purchase method without open tender. A final decision is expected on Wednesday.
NCT, Bangladesh’s largest container terminal, has five jetties capable of handling four seagoing and one inland vessel simultaneously. Saif Powertec Ltd has operated the terminal for 17 years; its contract ends July 6.
Sources indicate the Bangladesh Navy is likely to assume control from July 7, with CPA’s technical support. An earlier plan to operate the terminal with CPA’s own management and a Tk 42 crore budget was scrapped.
The government is continuing a process initiated under the Awami League to transfer operations to UAE-based DP World, with IFC acting as transaction advisor. The deal is expected by November.
BSCIC CETP Upgrade Dropped from PPP Model
The committee also approved a proposal not to implement the rectification and upgrade of the CETP and solid waste management (SWM) system at BSCIC Tannery Industrial Estate, Dhaka, under the PPP model.