CCBL calls third tender for Ghorashal ICD as previous bids fall through

Despite rising competition among both local and international logistics investors – particularly in and around Chattogram Port – the proposed Tk400 crore Ghorashal Multimodal Inland Container Depot (ICD) continues to face setbacks.

After two previous tender rounds failed to attract a single bidder, the Container Company of Bangladesh Limited (CCBL) has now invited tenders for a third time.

CCBL, a subsidiary of Bangladesh Railway, published the latest tender notice on 21 July under the Open Tendering Method (Single Stage – Two Envelope process). Both individual firms and joint ventures are eligible to participate. 

The deadline to purchase tender documents is 18 September, and bids will be opened on 23 September.

The ICD is to be built on 20 acres of Bangladesh Railway land near Ghorashal Railway Station. Once operational, it is expected to handle up to 100,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) annually, easing cargo flow between the country's major seaports, Chattogram and Mongla, and industrial hubs in Gazipur and Mymensingh.

The first call for bids was issued on 10 January 2024. Although 12 local and foreign firms collected tender documents, none submitted a proposal. 

In response, CCBL extended the proposed lease period from 25 to 30 years and reduced the required signature fee from Tk10 crore to Tk6 crore.

A second tender, issued on 10 December 2024, attracted renewed interest from prominent players such as Singapore Ports Ltd, DP World, Summit, QNS, and Vertex. 

Yet again, 13 companies collected documents, but no bids were submitted. CCBL blamed last-minute withdrawals on political and economic uncertainties.

The lack of commitment has puzzled many in the sector. Stakeholders have questioned why foreign firms active in other port projects, such as DP World in Chittagong Port's NCT and PSA Singapore in the Bay Terminal project, showed no real interest in Ghorashal despite purchasing tender documents.

Nurul Qayyum Khan, former president of Bangladesh Inland Container Depots Association and chairman of QNS Container Services Ltd, said, "Large-scale infrastructure projects like this aren't feasible without foreign investment. We explored joint ventures, but political uncertainty has made international partners cautious."

Imran Fahim Noor, managing director of Vertex Logistics, echoed the sentiment, noting that the Tk400 crore investment and 30-year transfer clause are major obstacles. 

He also stressed the need for a four-lane Dhaka-Narsingdi highway, better area security, and enhanced railway capacity.

Despite previous setbacks, CCBL Managing Director Md Miajahan remains hopeful. 

"New industries are emerging every year, and so is trade. The Ghorashal ICD will support the transport of goods to nearby industrial zones. Rail connectivity to Chattogram is already in place, and a Mongla link is underway. We're optimistic about a positive response this time," he said.