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Published : 08 Jun 2026, 11:45 PM
A consortium of three domestic companies, led by Saif Powertec Limited, has proposed to operate the much-discussed New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) at Chittagong Port for 15 years.
The development was made public on Monday, despite the proposal being sent to the shipping ministry on Apr 29.
The government, however, on Thursday directed the Chittagong Port Authority to continue discussions with Dubai-based DP World on the lease of the NCT.
The consortium comprises Cosmos Enterprises and Everest Port Services Limited.
The proposal by the "Saif-Cosmos-Everest Port Services Consortium" was signed by Saif Powertec Managing Director Tarafdar Md Ruhul Amin, Cosmos Enterprises Managing Partner Hasin bin Ashraf and Everest Port Services Managing Director Md Shahadat Hossain.
Meanwhile, Saif Powertec was in charge of managing the NCT from 2007 to Jul 6, 2024. Since then, the Chattogram Dry Dock Limited, a subsidiary of the Bangladesh Navy, has been handling the much-talked-about terminal.
The chairman of Cosmos Enterprises is ABM Ashraf Uddin, the Lakshmipur-4 MP from the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party, who was elected unopposed.
And, Selim of Everest Post Services is a BNP lawmaker from the Lakshmipur-1 constituency.
Saif Powertec’s Ruhul Amin told bdnews24.com: “We have proposed to operate the NCT for a long term, not a lease. During this period, the Chittagong Port Authority will collect revenue (tolls).
“We’ve proposed to operate the NCT for 15 years when the Chittagong Port Authority will not have to bear any capital or operating expenses related to fuel, lubricants, electricity, equipment maintenance, manpower and container handling,” he said.
Pledging to bear all the expenses, he said: “The port will have full control over the terminal.”
Citing an audit report by the Chittagong Port Authority, the consortium said the port's revenue per TEUs (20-foot equivalent units) of containers is $161.82, and the total cost, including operator bills, stands at $56.15.
This results in the port's net revenue per container being $105.67.
The three companies have asked for $69 per container to be handled while the port authority will collect all ship and container-related fees.
According to the proposal, the port will receive approximately $92 in revenue per container for the next 15 years, without incurring any operational costs, including fuel, electricity, equipment maintenance, and manpower expenditure.
Ruhul Amin described the government’s initiative to hand over terminals to foreign operators despite the capabilities of domestic operators, as "disappointing" for the local industry.
Asked if there have been any discussions with the government regarding the proposal, he replied in the negative.
