Ctg Port Authority's rejoinder and our reply
The Chattogram Port Authority issued a rejoinder to a report published by The Business Standard on 20 June, titled "3-month interim extension sought for Saif Powertec to operate Ctg Port terminal," stating that the content of the report is not factual.
The rejoinder, signed by the Port Authority's Secretary on 21 June, stated: "The news is not authentic and doesn't reflect the true facts. As per your newspaper's report, no new decision has been taken regarding DPM (Direct Procurement Method) for the operation of the NCT [New Mooring Container Terminal]."
The port authority clarified that the NCT is currently being operated by a private operator, Saif Powertec Limited, under an agreement set to expire on 6 July 2025.
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According to the rejoinder, "A meeting was held at the Ministry of Shipping on 18 June 2025 to discuss the operation of the NCT after the expiration of the agreement. In that meeting, the Chattogram Port Authority was instructed to take necessary preparatory steps regarding the management of the NCT."
It further stated that the CPA has since been taking appropriate steps in line with the ministry's directive and that "the NCT will be operated as per the order of the government." The port authority also requested that The Business Standard publish a correction to dispel confusion among the public, adding: "CPA assures the highest cooperation at all times."
Our reply:
It is unclear which specific aspect of the report the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) objects to.
In its rejoinder, the CPA claimed the report was inauthentic and did not reflect the facts. However, TBS prepared the report based on a letter the Chattogram Port Authority sent to the Ministry of Shipping, in which it sought an extension of the existing contract for the operation of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT).
While preparing the report, TBS also obtained statements from Nasir Uddin, spokesperson and chief personnel officer of the CPA and Munshi Md Moniruzzaman, joint secretary of the Port Division at the shipping ministry, regarding the CPA's proposal. The report further noted that the ministry would review the matter and make a decision in a meeting.
As of the publication of the report on 20 June, TBS had not been able to obtain the outcome of the 18 June meeting.
However, on 21 June, TBS published a follow-up report titled "New Mooring Container Terminal to operate under Chattogram Port's own management," clarifying that the Ministry of Shipping had decided in principle to place the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) under the direct management of the Chattogram Port Authority (CPA), thereby ending the existing arrangement with the private operator, Saif Powertec.
