Saudi Arabia and foreign investment were at the centre of discussion at Chattogram Port during the outgoing year 2024. That year, a foreign company was given the charge of managing the port terminal. Saudi Arabia-based company the Red Sea Gateway Terminal (RSGT) got the contract for container handling at the port. Through this, Bangladesh entered a new era of the ‘Landlord Port Model’ or Zamindari system in port conduct and management. In the ‘Landlord Port Model’, the private initiative handles products by constructing establishments on port land and uses its channels. The port authority receives a certain amount of handling and other charges from that. After ending the agreement, the port authority gets ownership of the whole establishment or terminal. The government does not need to invest huge money to construct establishments in this system. This system ensures earning more money by investing less. The government plays the role of regulator in the ‘Landlord Port Model’.
Apart from this, the fire incidents in four oil tankers at the end of 2024 were a much-discussed issue. On September 30, three people died in a fire on the Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) ship MT ‘Banglar Jyoti’ at ERL Jetty. Four days later, on October 4, another oil tanker named ‘Banglar Sourav’ caught fire outside Chattogram Port leaving one dead. That ship is also owned by the state-owned company BSC. Both ships were heavily damaged by two separate fire incidents. On October 13, a mother tanker and a lighter tanker caught fire at the outer anchorage of Chattogram Port in Kutubdia channel.
Sources said that in the 137-year history of Chattogram Port, Patenga Container Terminal (PCT) is the first terminal where a foreign company has been appointed for management following the ‘Landlord Port Model’. Earlier no foreign company got the opportunity to operate any terminal of the Chattogram Port. More than 92 per cent of sea-based foreign trade is operated through this prime seaport of the country. Once fully operational, the PCT will be able to handle 6 lakh TEUs (Twenty Foot Equivalent Unit) containers annually.
The commercial operations of Patenga Container Terminal launched on June 10 with the loading of export goods onto the Singaporean flag-carrying ship MAERSK DAVAO. Earlier on December 6, 2023, an agreement was signed with Saudi operator Red Sea Gateway Terminal (RSGT) to operate the PCT. The Chattogram Port invested Tk 1,000 crore to construct the PCT close to the estuary of the Karnaphuli River. As per the agreement, RSGT will operate the Patenga Container Terminal for 22 years.
The previous Awami League government had been encouraging foreign investment in Chittagong Port along with the construction and operation of the proposed Bay Container Terminal and Laldia Container Terminal for the last few years.
Recently, Chattogram Port Authority Chairman Rear Admiral SM Moniruzzaman in a function told media that the issue of private partnership in port management of Bangladesh is a long-cherished dream and challenge. Chattogram Port Authority has skillfully engaged Saudi Arabia-based private company Red Sea Gateway Terminal to operate the Patenga Container Terminal by facing all challenges.
“We are constructing Laldia Container Terminal under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with the world’s leading terminal operation AP Moller Maersk. The initiative is underway to construct Bay Container Terminal-1 and 2 under PPP with PSA Singapore and Dubai-based DP World. The process is also underway to operate the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) under PPP with an international terminal operator.”
bd-pratidin/GR
