The involvement of global port operator DP World in operating Chattogram Port's New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) is expected to improve port efficiency, reduce trade costs and send a positive signal to foreign investors, business leaders have observed.
They said the international expertise, modern technology and improved management practices of the Dubai-based company could help reduce vessel waiting times and container congestion, accelerate cargo handling and strengthen Bangladesh's competitiveness in international trade.
Business leaders further observed that improving the efficiency of Chattogram Port, the country's principal seaport, is closely linked to industrial growth, export expansion and overall economic development.
Md Fazlul Hoque, administrator of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), said DP World's experience in port management could have a positive impact on both imports and exports if effectively utilised at Chattogram Port.
He said the overall benefits to the national economy should be given greater importance than the port's revenue alone.
"Improved port services can reduce import costs, facilitate exports and save time in cargo transportation, benefiting producers, importers and exporters," he said.
Haque also noted that the involvement of a globally recognised port operator could encourage other foreign investors by demonstrating Bangladesh's potential for investment.
However, he stressed that improved services should not lead to unreasonable increases in port charges.
The benefits of greater operational efficiency should be reflected in better services and lower business costs, he added.
Mohammad Hatem, president of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), welcomed the government's agreement with DP World to operate the terminal.
He said the initiative could increase the port's handling capacity, create opportunities to reduce operational costs and contribute to economic growth.
Hatem called for constructive engagement from all stakeholders, saying any concerns about the agreement should be raised with specific evidence and addressed through discussions with the government.
He said the country's economic interests should be the primary consideration in evaluating the initiative.
The need to improve port efficiency is underscored by the existing operational challenges at Chattogram Port.
According to the 2025 Container Port Performance Index, Chattogram Port ranked 364th among 400 container ports worldwide.
World Bank data cited by the sources indicate that vessels may have to wait up to three days for cargo handling, compared with around 15 to 24 hours at many comparable ports.
The average container dwell time at Chattogram Port is around nine days, while it is no more than two and a half days at comparable ports.
Such delays impose substantial costs on businesses. Estimates cited by the sources suggest that the economic loss amounts to around Tk 10 crore per day, or approximately Tk 3,650 crore annually.
According to a World Bank estimate, reducing container dwell time by one day could increase Bangladesh's trade through Chattogram Port by around 7.5 percent.
The New Mooring Container Terminal is one of the four operational container-handling facilities at Chattogram Port and handles around 44 percent of the port's total container throughput.
Improving the terminal's operational performance could therefore contribute significantly to enhancing the port's overall capacity and accelerating the country's import-export activities.
Under the 15-year agreement, DP World will be responsible for operating NCT, including coordinating vessel schedules, preparing for cargo handling, unloading containers from ships, storing them in yards and facilitating their movement out of the terminal after customs clearance and other formalities. The handling of export containers will also be covered by its operations.
The initiative aims to reduce congestion and cargo handling times through modern equipment, automated systems and improved operational practices.
Faster cargo clearance could reduce additional expenses related to transportation, storage and vessel waiting times. More reliable delivery schedules would also help Bangladeshi exporters meet international buyers' requirements.
Under the financial terms of the agreement, DP World will provide an upfront payment of around Tk 600 crore to the Chattogram Port Authority (CPA).
The CPA will receive 40 to 67 percent of the terminal's gross revenue from cargo handling, which is calculated before deducting operational expenses and is not a share of net profit.
The agreement also includes an investment of more than Tk 1,000 crore in terminal modernisation and development during the first 10 years, along with a minimum annual payment of Tk 10 crore.
DP World operates more than 80 ports and terminals across more than 40 countries and is also involved in inland terminals and supply chain operations. Its international experience in container handling, port management and cargo transportation could support improvements in NCT's operational efficiency and service quality.
Former Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) president SM Fazlul Hoque said business leaders wanted to cooperate with the government in the interest of the national economy.
He expressed confidence that the government had taken the decision after careful consideration and said the business community intended to support the implementation of the initiative.
Russell Mahmud, chief operating officer of Bay-Berth Maritime, said faster cargo delivery could strengthen Bangladesh's export capacity, reduce import costs and improve the country's competitiveness in international markets.
He said utilising DP World's operational experience at NCT was important for the country's commercial interests, given the existing limitations in port capacity and the economic costs associated with container congestion.
People familiar with the agreement said assigning a foreign operator to manage a terminal for a specified period did not mean transferring ownership of the port. Under the arrangement, DP World will operate NCT, while ownership and sovereign control will remain with the Chattogram Port Authority and Bangladesh.
They said the success of the initiative would depend on proper implementation of the contractual terms, improved service quality, cost control, transparency and accountability.
If the expected improvements are achieved, the agreement could help reduce vessel and container waiting times, lower business costs and expand trade. It could also support the modernisation of Bangladesh's port infrastructure and strengthen the country's prospects for attracting foreign investment.
