Bangladesh Navy takes over operation of port's New Mooring Container Terminal
On 18 June, the Ministry of Shipping decided that NCT would be temporarily operated under port management
Chittagong Dry Dock Limited (CDDL), operated by the Bangladesh Navy, has officially taken over the management of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) at Chattogram Port from today (7 July).
According to Chattogram g Port Authority (CPA) Secretary Md Omar Faruk, the responsibility for operating the terminal was handed over to CDDL at midnight on 6 July. He added that the formal agreement between the CPA and CDDL will be finalised soon in accordance with the Public Procurement Rules (PPR).
A senior official from Saif Powertech Ltd, the outgoing operator of NCT, told The Business Standard on condition of anonymity, "After midnight on 6 July (12:01am), the management responsibilities have been handed over to CDDL. We have been informed verbally. However, over 3,000 personnel who were previously under our management are still involved in terminal operations."
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Chattogram Port Authority stated that CDDL will operate the terminal for the next six months following instructions from the Ministry of Shipping.
Saif Powertech, a domestic firm, had been operating NCT for the past 17 years under a contract awarded through the Direct Procurement Method (DPM). While the company has been credited with efficient terminal operations, its appointment under DPM has often been criticized for a lack of transparency. The company's contract with CPA officially ended on 6 July.
Meanwhile, discussions are ongoing regarding the appointment of global port operator DP World, based in Dubai, for the long-term management of NCT.
On 18 June, the Ministry of Shipping decided that NCT would be temporarily operated under port management.
The NCT, one of the most vital terminals at Chattogram Port, has an annual container handling capacity of 1.1 million TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units), but currently handles around 1.3 million TEUs annually. The facility has five jetties that can simultaneously accommodate four container ships and one inland waterway vessel.
The terminal generates approximately Tk1,000 crore in annual revenue for Chattogram Port.
