Business & Economy
DP World signs 15-year deal to operate Chattogram terminal
Chattogram Port Authority has signed a 15-year concession with DP World for the New Mooring Container Terminal. The state retains ownership while the operator is expected to modernise operations; workers and political groups have protested the agreement.
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From 9 October 2026 — Daily Brief
Bangladesh has signed a 15-year concession agreement with Dubai-based DP World to operate and modernise Chattogram Port’s New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT), moving a long-debated plan from negotiation to contract.
Chattogram Port Authority and DP World signed the agreement in Dhaka on 8 October. The concession covers NCT and its overflow container yard. The government says ownership of the terminal’s land and core assets will remain with the port authority, while DP World will take responsibility for operations and upgrades.
The New Mooring facility is central to Bangladesh’s container trade. Improving its efficiency could affect the time and cost of moving imported raw materials and exported goods through the country’s main seaport.
The deal remains contested. Port workers and left-wing organisations have opposed transferring operations to an international operator, and demonstrators protested in Dhaka as the agreement was signed.
Signing the concession does not mean DP World has immediately assumed full operations. The transition, investment timetable, financial terms and performance against promised efficiency improvements will determine whether the arrangement delivers the intended benefits.