National Container Terminal (NCT) in Chattogram stands as a rare infrastructure success story in Bangladesh. Commissioned in 2007 with a Tk 4,000 crore investment from the Chattogram Port Authority (CPA), the terminal was designed to handle 1.1 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) annually. Today, it operates at over 1.3 million TEUs, exceeding its intended capacity and contributing over Tk 1,000 crore to national revenue.
Despite this success, a government plan to hand over NCT’s operations to Dubai-based DP World has ignited controversy. The decision, made without an international tender and during the tenure of an interim government, is drawing criticism from political leaders, trade unions, port stakeholders, and civil society.
Advantages
Supporters argue that foreign direct investment (FDI) could enhance capacity and introduce advanced technology. Officials claim that DP World’s involvement may create jobs and help local workers upskill. Shipping Adviser Brig Gen Retired Shakhawat Hossain confirmed that a $1 billion proposal from DP World is under review.
BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud recently praised NCT’s technology, comparing it with Dubai’s ports. He suggested that further foreign involvement could usher in automation and improved efficiency.
Disadvantages
Yet critics say these promises lack detail. CPA has already spent Tk 4,000 crore on NCT, making further external investment questionable. With the terminal already over performing under local management, many argue that foreign control over such a vital asset—located next to a major naval base—poses a national security risk.
“Why hand over a functioning terminal when outdated ones like GCB and CCT urgently need investment?” asked port user Khayrul Alam Sujon. Economist Anu Muhammad echoed this sentiment, questioning the legitimacy of the interim government in making long-term commercial commitments.
Patenga Container Terminal’s poor performance under a Saudi operator has further stoked fears of inefficiency and profit repatriation. Local firms, like Karnaphuli Dry Dock Ltd, have shown they can deliver, raising the question: Why not invest in building local capacity instead?
With widespread opposition from political parties, labor groups, and trade experts, the NCT deal underscores an urgent need for a comprehensive national port policy. As voices grow louder in favor of local control and transparency, the decision to privatize NCT may prove to be a defining moment for Bangladesh’s economic sovereignty.
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