Shipping ministry opts to hand over Ctg container terminal to CPA

The Ministry of Shipping has decided in principle to hand over the operations of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) once the current private operator's contract ends in early July.

The decision was made at a meeting of the ministry on Thursday last week. The proposal will now go to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs for final approval.

Port officials said a private company is operating the terminal under a contract that is due to expire on July 6.

The NCT has been in the spotlight in recent months as the government showed interest in bringing in a foreign operator to improve port management.

However, to prevent any disruption in import and export activities, the ministry has decided to let the CPA run the terminal for six months under its own management as an interim measure.

Officials familiar with the matter said finding a new operator through an open tender would take time, prompting the authorities to take this measure to ensure port activities continue smoothly.

The CPA said that approval from the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs is now crucial to keep operations uninterrupted and trade flowing. If the committee gives the green light soon, the CPA will take charge of the NCT.

The Daily Star approached top CPA officials for comment, but to no avail till 10 pm on Saturday.