Chittagong Dry Dock Limited, a Bangladesh Navy-run organisation, is set to take over the operations of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) of Chattogram Port on 7 July, replacing private operator Saif Powertech after 17 years.
Confirming the development, Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) Secretary Md Omar Faruk informed that the handover process will be completed by 6 July through a formal agreement, reports TBS.
Chittagong Dry Dock will begin managing the terminal from 7 July under the direct procurement method, as per the directive from the shipping ministry, Omar said.
"The workers currently engaged in New Mooring Container Terminal operations will continue their work and will be supervised under the new management of Chittagong Dry Dock," 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.
The New Mooring terminal, one of Chattogram Port's key terminals, has an annual container handling capacity of 11 lakh TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units), though it currently handles around 13 lakh TEUs.
It features four jetties capable of berthing four container ships simultaneously and generates approximately Tk1,000 crore in annual revenue for the port.
Bd-pratidin English/ ANI
