Patenga container terminal: CPA to be in-charge until a foreign operator appointed

The Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) will be in charge of running Patenga container terminal, which is likely to be opened this June to take off increasing cargo pressure on Chattogram port, until a foreign firm is finalised, according to authorities.

Firms that have expressed interest in running the terminal

Five foreign operators have expressed interest in running the terminal under a "equip, operate and maintain" model. The firms are Denmark's AP Moller-Maersk, Saudi Arabia-based Red Sea Gateway Terminal, Dubai-based DP World, India's Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited, and Singapore's PSA International.

With a 4.50 lakh TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent unit) annual cargo handling capacity, construction of Patenga container terminal has logged 85% progress so far.

The Public Private Partnership (PPP) Authority is constructing the terminal, and it will finalise the operator appointment soon, said CPA Chairman Rear Admiral Mohammad Shahjahan.

He said until a foreign operator is picked up, they would use Chattogram port's cargo handling equipment in running the terminal.

With three extensions in deadline and the cost spiking to Tk1,229 crore, now the terminal is set for launching on 1 June this year, according to Mijanur Rahman, director of Patenga container terminal project.

Launching of the terminal should not miss the June deadline saysChattogram chamber President