Ctg Port forms support team as NCT-DP World talks enter crucial phase

The Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) has formed a 12-member support team to assist the negotiation committee working on the proposed public-private partnership (PPP) project for the operation and maintenance of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT), as discussions with Dubai-based global port operator DP World enter a critical stage.

According to an office order issued by the CPA secretary on 21 June, the team was constituted following a directive from the Ministry of Shipping's Development-1 Branch dated 18 June.

The support team will provide technical, operational and administrative assistance to the negotiation committee overseeing the project titled "Operation and Maintenance of CPA's New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) including Overflow Container Yard (OCY) by Private Terminal Operator under PPP."

The committee comprises officials from key divisions of the port authority, including planning, administration, hydrography, marine, engineering, traffic, finance, security and mechanical departments.

Among the members are Chief Planning Officer Md Mahbub Morshed Chowdhury, Law Officer Shahnewaz Monir, Chief Hydrographer Commander Md Obaidur Rahman, Assistant Harbour Master Captain Mustahidul Islam, Deputy Director (Security and Administration) Mohammad Mezbha Uddin Chowdhury and Deputy Chief Engineer (Electrical) and Plant Manager Mostafa Iqbal.

Other members include Executive Engineer (Civil Works) Lt Commander Syed Sazzadur Rahman, Assistant Terminal Manager (Ship and Yard, CCT-NCT) Mizanur Rahman Sarkar, Senior Finance Officer Zahidul Imam, Assistant Traffic Manager Rajib Chowdhury, Assistant Manager (Estate-2) Md Saiful Alam and Mohammad Raihan Uddin.

The office order said the formation of the support team had been approved by the competent authority.

Negotiations gather pace

The latest move comes amid renewed efforts to advance negotiations with DP World over the future operation of NCT, the country's largest and busiest container terminal.

The issue returned to the spotlight earlier this month after two separate letters issued by the Ministry of Shipping on the same day appeared to send conflicting signals about the future of the proposed concession agreement.

In one letter, the ministry instructed the port authority to either expedite the ongoing process with DP World or terminate it. A second letter issued later the same day directed CPA to continue negotiations with the UAE-based operator.

The apparently contradictory instructions sparked debate within the port community and raised questions about the government's position on the proposed lease.

However, Shipping Secretary Zakaria later clarified that there had been no policy shift and that negotiations with DP World remained active.

Following the ministry's latest communication, CPA moved to advance the process by seeking approval for a seven-member evaluation committee to help complete the negotiations.

Port officials said the formation of the support team is another indication that discussions are entering a decisive stage after months of uncertainty.

Strategic importance of NCT

NCT is the largest of Chattogram Port's four container terminals and serves as the backbone of Bangladesh's international container trade.

According to port data, the terminal handled around 44% of all containers moved through Chattogram Port last year, making it the single most important container handling facility in the country.

Since July 2024, the terminal has been operated by Chittagong Dry Dock Limited (CDDL), an enterprise under the Bangladesh Navy. Under CDDL's management, NCT has repeatedly set new container handling records.

In May this year, the terminal handled approximately 126,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), the highest monthly throughput in its history.

The proposal to hand over NCT operations to DP World originated during the previous Awami League government under a combination of public-private partnership and government-to-government frameworks.

Although the process advanced significantly during the interim government's tenure, disagreements within the negotiation committee and opposition from labour groups delayed progress. The interim government eventually suspended the process on 9 February.

The proposal resurfaced after the new government took office, particularly following discussions at the fourth meeting of the Bangladesh-Dubai Joint Public-Private Partnership Platform in April, where DP World expressed interest in operating NCT alongside the adjacent Chittagong Container Terminal (CCT) as an integrated terminal complex.

The future management of NCT remains a subject of debate among policymakers, port users and industry stakeholders.

Supporters argue that DP World's global expertise, technology and investment could enhance port efficiency and strengthen Bangladesh's position in regional supply chains. Critics, however, question the need to hand over a profitable terminal that is already achieving record operational performance under domestic management.

For now, the formation of the support team signals that the government and port authority are continuing preparations for negotiations that could determine the future of Bangladesh's most important container terminal.