What is in the DP World agreement?
CPA Chairman Rear Admiral Md. Moniruzzaman (right) and DP World Board Chairman Essa Kazim signed the agreement regarding the NCT at the Invest Bangladesh Bhaban today.
Despite opposition from Chittagong Port worker unions and left-leaning political parties, the government has handed over the management of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to a foreign company.
DP World, an international terminal operator owned by the Dubai government in the United Arab Emirates, has been awarded the contract.
The operational concession agreement was signed today, Thursday, between the Chittagong Port Authority and DP World at an event held in Agargaon, Dhaka. Rear Admiral Md. Moniruzzaman, Chairman of the Chittagong Port Authority, and Essa Kazim, Chairman of the Board of Directors of DP World, signed the document.
While the agreement was being signed in the presence of Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam and Minister of State Md. Rajib Ahsan, left-leaning political parties staged a protest outside the Invest Bangladesh building. However, police used batons to disperse the protesters. Meanwhile, port worker unions have threatened to shut down Chittagong Port following the signing of the deal.
Chittagong Port currently operates four container-handling facilities, one of which is the New Mooring Container Terminal.
Launched in 2007, NCT currently handles about 44 percent of all containers passing through Chittagong Port. It has been managed by Chittagong Dry Dock Limited, an entity controlled by the Bangladesh Navy. Following the new agreement, its management shifts to DP World.
What the agreement includes
According to a press release issued by Invest Bangladesh after the signing, this is a major initiative under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework.
It states that the land, infrastructure, ownership, and control of NCT will remain with the Chittagong Port Authority and the government. DP World will handle terminal operations and management under a 15-year concession.
Highlighting the main aspects of the deal, Invest Bangladesh noted that ownership of NCT is not being transferred to a foreign entity and will remain with the Chittagong Port Authority.
Under the agreement, DP World will pay an upfront fee of approximately Tk 600 million. Over the next 10 years, they will invest more than 1 billion in modernization, equipment, and technology. In addition, the Chittagong Port Authority will receive a share of the revenue.
The press release further noted that if container handling targets are not met, the Chittagong Port Authority can impose financial penalties on the foreign company. The port authority will also maintain oversight.
To safeguard port security and national sovereignty, security protocols involving state agencies—including the Navy, Coast Guard, Immigration, and Customs—will remain unchanged.
Although operational control is moving to a foreign firm, local employment will continue, the release stated. It added that modern technology and international training will further enhance the efficiency of the country's port and logistics sector.
Here is the translation into standard American English:
According to the Global Container Port Performance Index 2025, Chittagong Port ranks 364th out of 400 container ports worldwide. Delays in container handling are identified as the primary reason for this lag.
A press release from Invest Bangladesh states that lack of modernization and required efficiency at Chittagong Port—which handles roughly 92 percent of the country's foreign trade—costs Bangladesh's economy nearly 100 million BDT daily, amounting to over 30 billion BDT annually.
Citing World Bank data, the release notes that reducing container dwell time by just one day could boost Bangladesh's exports by up to 7.4 percent.
Currently, at the port's busiest facility, the Newmooring Container Terminal (NCT), container dwell time exceeds nine days, while ship turnaround time remains over two and a half days.
Port authorities remain optimistic that improvements in these areas will materialize through the involvement of an international operator.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam said that the government's goal is to rapidly enhance the capacity of existing key assets, making the NCT more competitive through modern equipment, digital systems, world-class management, and global logistics integration.
Chittagong Port Authority Chairman Moniruzzaman said, "This agreement will boost operational efficiency at the terminal, reduce logistics bottlenecks, and strengthen connections with international markets."
Ashik Chowdhury, Chairman of Invest Bangladesh, said, "Our goal is to align the country's trade with global momentum. Partnering with DP World to operate the Newmooring Container Terminal represents a major step toward that objective."
He expressed confidence that partnering with a major global entity like DP World will upgrade and accelerate port operations.
Why DP World?
The decision to select DP World is supported by the company's extensive global experience.
According to the press release, DP World is one of the world's premier port and logistics operators.
It operates more than 80 marine and inland terminals across over 40 countries, including India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UK, and the US.
The company's network accounts for approximately 10 percent of total global container traffic.
At the signing ceremony, DP World Executive Chairman Essa Kazim stated, "The Newmooring Container Terminal will be integrated into DP World's global network of ports, logistics infrastructure, and supply chain services. This will make Bangladesh's commercial connectivity with international markets easier and more seamless."
He added, "By leveraging our experience, technology, and end-to-end logistics capabilities, we aim to contribute to expanding trade, attracting investment, and creating new opportunities for Bangladeshi businesses."
