Chattogram Port targets March 2027 handover of NCT operations to DP World

Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) is targeting March 2027 to transfer operations of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) and its Overflow Container Yard to DP World, following the signing of a 15-year concession agreement in October.

CPA secretary Syed Refayet Hamim said the operator was preparing for the transition, including procuring container-handling equipment. The proposed March handover remains a target rather than a confirmed commencement date.

What does the concession cover?

CPA and DP World signed the agreement in Dhaka on 8 October 2026 under a public-private partnership framework. It covers operation and maintenance of NCT and its Overflow Container Yard, alongside improvements intended to increase terminal efficiency.

Ownership of the terminal remains with CPA. DP World will assume operational responsibilities under the concession, which builds on a 2019 memorandum of understanding between the Government of Dubai and Bangladesh’s Public-Private Partnership Authority.

The agreement was signed by CPA chairman Rear Admiral S. M. Moniruzzaman and DP World executive chairman Essa Kazim, in the presence of Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam and other officials.

The initial term can be extended by a further 15 years through mutual agreement, subject to specified conditions. The extension is therefore not automatic.

What investment and operating improvements are planned?

According to the government’s published summary, the concession provides for an upfront fee of approximately Tk600 crore and investment exceeding Tk1,000 crore during the first 10 years. The investment will cover modernisation, equipment and technology.

CPA will also receive a fixed annual fee and a share of revenue. Performance obligations include measurable targets, reporting requirements and financial penalties for missed targets, with the port authority retaining monitoring and audit responsibilities.

DP World’s development plan includes upgrades to civil infrastructure and equipment, digital systems and changes to cargo-handling processes. Its operational priorities include berth planning, yard management, equipment utilisation, preventive maintenance, safety and sustainability.

The company also intends to connect NCT with its international ports and logistics network and introduce workforce training and operating practices drawn from its wider terminal business. These are planned improvements whose results will depend on implementation after the transition.

Why is NCT important to Bangladesh’s trade?

NCT began operations in 2007 and handles approximately 44% of Chattogram Port’s container traffic, according to Invest Bangladesh. Its scale makes the terminal’s performance particularly important to the country’s import and export supply chains.

The government has identified lengthy container dwell times, vessel stays and equipment productivity as priorities for improvement. Its concession announcement reported container dwell times exceeding nine days at Chattogram/NCT and vessel stays of more than 2.5 days.

Modernisation is intended to address those constraints through better use of existing infrastructure, equipment and operating systems. The concession does not transfer ownership of the terminal’s land or core assets, and existing security responsibilities remain with Bangladesh’s relevant state agencies.

What is the position on workers’ concerns?

Port labour organisations suspended their protest programme after meeting Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam in Dhaka on 19 October.

Representatives of the Port Jatiotabadi Sramik Dal and the Chittagong Port Protection Movement Council discussed employment security, recruitment to vacant positions and other demands affecting workers at NCT and the Chattogram Container Terminal.

The suspension provides room for further discussions as preparations continue. However, it does not establish that all employment concerns have been resolved. The next operational milestone is the targeted March 2027 transfer, with equipment mobilisation and transition arrangements still underway.