Written by The Banking Post
The Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) plans to appoint the first operators for the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT), Bay Terminal, and Laldia Terminal by December this year, BIDA Executive Chairman Lokman Hossain Miah announced on Sunday.
Speaking after inaugurating the agent desk at Gate No. 4 of Chittagong Port, Miah said the international tender process for the terminals is underway. “We intend to appoint at least the first operator for these terminals by December,” he stated.
Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) Chairman Rear Admiral SM Moniruzzaman, CPA Secretary Mohammad Omar Faruk, and other senior officials were present at the event.
On the performance of Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Gateway Terminal (RSGT), the current operator of the Patenga Container Terminal (PCT), Miah admitted the outcome has been “less than satisfactory” due to technical challenges and procedural delays. He noted that despite RSGT’s experience in multiple countries, the expected handling volume has not been achieved.
Highlighting the capacity of Chittagong Dry Dock Limited (CDDL), which currently manages the NCT, Miah said the terminal handled 1.3 million TEUs last year but has the potential to process up to 1.9 million TEUs. He stressed that adopting advanced technology and international best practices could further boost throughput.
“Our sole aim is to serve the national interest. If CDDL can maximise capacity, that is excellent. If global expertise can improve operations, we will pursue that as well,” he said.
Miah also underscored the urgency of accelerating infrastructure projects, criticising delays that cause Bangladesh to lag behind global competitors. He set December as a target for signing agreements and initiating groundwork for port projects to ensure momentum ahead of the election period.
Citing the disruptions caused by the July 2024 student protests, which halted container transportation for a month, he stressed the need for Chittagong Port to operate at “150 per cent capacity” to support industrial zones like BEPZA, BEZA, and Hi-Tech Park.
The BIDA chairman praised recent operational gains, including a 30 per cent increase in container handling at NCT in the first month under CDDL’s management. He also pointed to ongoing reforms such as automated payment systems to reduce corruption and paperwork, and plans to integrate artificial intelligence to increase port capacity four to five times by 2030.
