After NCT, Chattogram Port’s CCTO to Be Handed Over to Foreign Operators

Chittagong Bureau

After NCT, the responsibility of operating the Chittagong Container Terminal (CCT) may also go to a foreign company. The Ministry of Shipping has directed the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) to start the process of handing over the responsibility of operating the CCT to Saudi Arabia-based Red Sea Gateway Terminal International (RSGTI).

This directive was issued on September 28. The terminal is currently operated by Saif Powertech Limited.

The letter from the Ministry of Shipping said that the IBA is being requested to process the necessary documents for appointing RSGTI as the operator of the Chittagong Container Terminal. The letter was signed by Farzana Hossain, Senior Assistant Secretary of the Ministry.

The letter has requested the Invest Bangladesh Authority (IBA) chairman to process the appointment letter of RSGTI as the operator of the CCT.

It said that RSGTI is interested in implementing two projects of the Chittagong Port Authority under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP).

The two projects are CCT and General Cargo Berth (GCB) and Bay Port-Multipurpose Terminal.

Several domestic and foreign companies have already submitted competitive proposals to operate the CCT. However, the government is said to be more interested in the Saudi company.

Dubai-based DP World and Saudi Arabia’s RSGTI submitted separate proposals to operate the terminal. DP World submitted its proposal on April 8, while RSGTI submitted its proposal on April 22. Domestic industrial group MGH Group also submitted a proposal.

In addition to CCT, RSGTI is also interested in operating a General Cargo Berth (GCB) terminal. The company said it plans to invest about $1 billion if the opportunity arises.

In 2025, about 16 percent of the total container traffic at Chittagong Port was handled by CCT. In addition, NCT’s share was about 44 percent, GCB’s 36 percent, and Patenga Container Terminal’s 4 percent.

It is worth noting that RSGTI is operating the Patenga Container Terminal under a 22-year contract signed in 2024.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has given in-principle approval to a draft agreement to hand over the NCT, the largest container handling facility at the country’s main seaport, to foreign company DP World. The CCT is now under discussion.