Yunus government’s blatant lies about port management

Opinion

In simple terms, the port is Bangladesh’s only gateway to the world considering its geographical features. The diversification and development of ports is one of the main criteria for the development of Asia, the marine resources of the South, and our relations with the world.

The Karnaphuli Tunnel, Cox’s Bazar Airport, Mirsarai National Economic Zone, and rail connectivity to the south were built on this basis.

It’s all over now.

The port has been given to foreigners. It’s not like our port was at a loss. After the July-August market downturn, we couldn’t keep our own resources.

Those who were given power by trusting them sold the hearts of the country to save their own heads. They did not feel the need to question anyone. These are the ones who have continuously lied against Sheikh Hasina about foreign relations. Yet this was the real truth behind their lies.

Port management

Seaports are of great importance for strategic and economic reasons. There are roughly four types of port management systems in use around the world.

1) Port Authority – In order to protect the independence of ports, different countries create separate authorities for ports. Although they have their own control, at the end of the day, the decision rests with the government of the country. The PSA (Port of Singapore Authority) of Singapore Port can be an example.

2) Operator – When the port authority is a company from another country, this company takes over the responsibility of the port for a period of time. If the port is of strategic importance, the port is usually not operated in this type of operator model. Examples of this could be Cosco, Maersk’s APM Terminals or DP World.

3) Direct port management through domestic or government companies – Most of the world’s major ports operate in this manner. All major ports in China operate under their own government management.

4) Hybrid – Ports are managed with some modification of one or more of the above methods. Ports such as Jebel Ali (United Arab Emirates) demonstrate a typical modern model in which a government-owned corporation operates like a private, profit-making global business but is ultimately accountable to the state.

Management systems of the world’s 15 largest ports

We have been told that if we give the ports to foreigners, the country will become a foreign country. However, look below, most of the world’s major ports are owned by government companies of that country.

1. Shanghai Port, China

Container Traffic (2023): 49.1 million TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units)
Operating Authority: Shanghai International Port Group (SIPG) – a state-owned enterprise.

The Port of Shanghai has been the world’s busiest container port for several consecutive years. Its traffic in 2023 increased further compared to the previous year, indicating its leading role in global trade.

2. Port of Singapore, Singapore

Container Traffic (2023): 39.0 million TEU
Managing Authority: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) – a government agency.

Despite challenges in global trade, the Port of Singapore managed to keep its traffic stable in 2023. It maintained its central role as one of the world’s major transshipment hubs.

3. Ningbo-Zhoushan Port, China

Container Traffic (2023): 35.3 million TEU
Operating Authority: Ningbo Zhoushan Port Group – a state-owned conglomerate.

Located on China’s east coast, the port is a vital gateway for the country’s industrial and manufacturing sectors, and its container traffic continues to grow.

4. Shenzhen Port, China

Container traffic (2023): 29.8 million TEU.
Operating authority: Shenzhen Municipal Transportation Bureau and various state-owned subsidiaries.

The Port of Shenzhen is actually a combination of several ports, including Yantian and Shekou. It is the center of China’s technology industry and an important port for the Pearl River Delta region.

5. Guangzhou Port, China

Container Traffic (2023): 22.6 million TEU
Operating Authority: Guangzhou Port Group Co., Ltd. – a state-owned enterprise.

The Port of Guangzhou is a very important port for southern China, especially in the industrial-rich Guangdong province. It is the sea gateway to a vast economic region.

6. Qingdao Port, China

Container Traffic (2023): 21.8 million TEUs
Operating Authority: Shandong Port Group – a state-owned conglomerate.

Qingdao Port is known as one of the fastest growing ports in the world. It is a major hub for trade with Northeast Asia and its traffic volume is very strong.

7. Tianjin Port, China

Container Traffic (2023): 21.8 million TEU
Operating Authority: Tianjin Port (Group) Co., Ltd. – a state-owned enterprise.

The port serves as a sea gateway for Beijing and the vast industrial region of northern China. It is one of the most important ports in northern China.

8. Busan Port, South Korea

Container Traffic (2023): 22.9 million TEU
Operating Authority: Busan Port Authority (BPA) – a government agency.

The Port of Busan is not only the largest port in South Korea, but also a very important transshipment hub in all of Northeast Asia.

9. Hong Kong Port, Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region of China)

Container traffic (2023): 14.4 million TEUs
Managing authority: Marine Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.

The Port of Hong Kong has traditionally been a leading port, but its traffic is gradually declining due to regional competition. It is nevertheless known as a major global port.

10. Port of Rotterdam, Netherlands

Container traffic (2023): 13.4 million TEU
Operating authority: Port of Rotterdam Authority (joint venture of the Municipality of Rotterdam and the Dutch government).

The Port of Rotterdam is Europe’s largest port and a major gateway for the entire continent, although its traffic declined slightly in 2023 due to global instability.

11. Jebel Ali Port, United Arab Emirates

Container traffic (2023): 14.0 million TEU
Operating authority: DP World (majority owned by the Government of Dubai).

Jebel Ali Port is not only the largest port in the Middle East, but also a major global logistics and commercial hub. It is an important crossroads for global trade.

12. Port Klang, Malaysia

Container traffic (2023): 13.9 million TEUs
Operating authority: Ports Authority of Malaysia.

Port Klang, located on the Strait of Malacca, is Malaysia’s main port. It is a major transshipment center and a strong competitor to the Port of Singapore.

13. Tanjung Pelepas Port, Malaysia

Container Traffic (2023): 10.8 million TEU
Operating Authority: Johor Port Authority – a government agency.

Tanjung Pelepas is another major port in Malaysia and a very important transshipment center, which takes advantage of its strategic location on international shipping routes.

14. Port of Los Angeles, United States

Container Traffic (2023): 8.6 million TEUs
Operating Authority: City of Los Angeles (through the Los Angeles Harbor Department).

The Port of Los Angeles is the largest port on the West Coast of the United States. Its traffic returned to normal levels in 2023 after a post-pandemic communications crisis.

15. Port of Hamburg, Germany

Container traffic (2023): 7.7 million TEU
Operating authority: Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) – owned by the city of Hamburg.

The Port of Hamburg is Germany’s largest port and is known as the “Northern Gate of Europe.” However, the port’s traffic has been somewhat affected by the decline in trade with Russia in the wake of the Ukraine war.

What you can easily understand from the above analysis:

1) Most seaports are operated by countries through their own companies.
2) In some cases, foreign companies are coordinated with government companies, but in no way at the expense of the country’s interests.

And Yunus sold this very important asset of the country without informing the people.

-Dr. Mamunur Rashid
Economist