CHATTOGRAM, July 5: The New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) of Chattogram Port is set to be operated by the Chattogram Dry Dock Limited (CDD), a Bangladesh Navy-run organization from Monday next, replacing the private operator Saif Powertech after 18 years.
This change comes after the contract with the current private operator, Saif Powertech, expires on July 6th.
Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) Secretary Md Omar Faruk told the Daily Observer that the handover process will be completed by 6 July through a formal agreement.
The contract with the Saif POwertech will be expired on Sunday, Faruk said.
Then the CDD will begin managing the terminal from the morning of Monday under the direct procurement method, as per the directive from the shipping ministry, he said.
"The workers currently engaged in New Mooring Container Terminal operations will continue their work and will be supervised under the new management of CDD," he added.
The shipping ministry had earlier decided not to renew the contract with Saif Powertech, which expires on 6 July.
On 18 June, the ministry announced that the terminal would be run under CPA's own management.
On 2 July, Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain, adviser to the shipping ministry, told reporters that the Navy will operate the terminal using the New Mooring terminal's existing manpower.
"A formal agreement will be signed between the Navy and the port authority. A committee led by a Navy commander will oversee the operations. If necessary, assistance from the former operator may also be sought," he said.
Saif Powertech, which has managed the terminal since its inception, said it employs about 3,800 workers at the New Mooring terminal.
The company said all the employees will stay and cooperate fully with the Navy-led operation.
Besides, the government will continue negotiations with Dubai-based DP World before deciding whether to hand over operations to them or another international firm, Adviser added.
Meanwhile the Advisory Council Committee on Economic Affairs approved a proposal authorising the port authority to appoint an operator. Subsequently, the ministry and the port authority decided to place the Navy in charge for the short term of six months.
Saif Powertec, a long-time operator at the port, was often seen as a "beneficiary business" during the previous Awami League government. Beyond the port, the company is involved in various other sectors, including electronics, energy, renewable energy, marketing, and contracting.
Rear Admiral Mir Ershad Ali, commander of the Navy's Chattogram region, has been tasked with overseeing the transition, though he currently heads logistics, not operations.
New Mooring Terminal, the largest container terminal in the country, has five jetties. Four ocean-going vessels and one inland waterway vessel can dock simultaneously. Various activities, including loading and unloading containers from ships, transferring, and storing containers, take place there.
A process started during the tenure of the Awami League government to hand over the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to Dubai-based DP World. The current interim government has advanced this process, and a formal agreement is expected to be signed in November.
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of World Bank Group, is mediating as the transaction advisor for the terminal on behalf of the Bangladesh government. So, the Bangladesh Navy is expected to operate the terminal until the agreement is finalised.
Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus recently reiterated the plan to appoint a foreign operator during his visit to Chattogram Port. The government had planned to finalise the agreement with DP World by September.
