Bangladesh Set to Appoint Foreign Operators for Port Development: Shipping Secretary

By December this year, the NCT, Laldia Char, and Pangaon Terminal in Keraniganj, Dhaka, will be handed over to foreign operators, announced Mohammad Yusuf, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping.

He made this statement on Sunday as the chief guest at a seminar titled 'Investment Potential in the Maritime Shipping Industry' organized by the Economic Reporters Forum (ERF) at Purana Paltan in the capital.

The Shipping Secretary mentioned that more time will be taken to hand over Pangaon Terminal, while the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT), which was supposed to be handed over by October, will also be delayed a bit.

He said discussions are underway regarding the handover of Chattogram Port to foreign operators, citing strategic and geographical issues. "We believe it won’t be a big issue. Foreign operators are working at ports in countries like Sri Lanka and India, and if there are no problems there, why should there be any here?" he added.

Referring to the capacity expansion of Chattogram Port, Mohammad Yusuf said, "We are doing something that no one else in the world is doing: we are unloading containers and delivering goods inside the port." He mentioned that Chattogram Port has 13 gates, but only six of them have scanning machines, and 3-4 of those are often out of order. "This is not how a port can operate. That's why we are trying to increase the port's capacity by appointing foreign operators. If we can do this, foreign investment will increase."

When asked whether the port will still be handed over to foreign operators despite opposition from businesspeople, the Secretary replied, "They say such things initially, but later, after seeing the situation, they change their stance."

Regarding the increased expenditure on port development, he was asked if businesses would be able to bear the additional costs. Mohammad Yusuf replied, "If the quality of service improves, if we can reduce the time ships unnecessarily spend at port through faster services and reduced demurrage, there will be no issue with bearing the additional costs."

The seminar was chaired by ERF President, Doulat Akter Mala, and the session was moderated by the organization's General Secretary, Abul Kashem.