Maersk to set up a Container terminal at Chittagong Port

The Copenhagen based global container cargo operator Maersk is all set to commission a new container terminal at Chittagong with the port authority giving their initial approval to the project

Global ports and terminal operator APM Terminals, a subsidiary of Danish shipping company AP Moller Maersk, submitted the proposal to the shipping ministry in April this year for investing around 450 million US dollars to construct the new terminal at Laldia area of the port

Chitagong Port authority has reviewed the Maersk proposal and gave our initial approval after the Shipping Ministry sought our opinion . . . we now await the shipping ministry decision,” CPA chairman Rear Admiral Mohammad Sohail told the local media.

The Danish shipping and logistic giant came up with the proposal to build and operate a new container terminal at Laldia area near the port facility and if the scheme was approved by the shipping ministry this would be the Chittagong port’s fourth container terminal.

CPA officials said under the port authority’s oversight the three existing container terminals were now being handled by a Bangladeshi enterprise and if approved Maersk Group would be the first multi national Operator of a new CPA container terminal.

The CPA comments came a day after Maersk’s Chief Executive Officer Robert Maersk Uggla called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who said Bangladesh would consider the group’s proposal while a national committee was formed to formulate logistic policy for the development of ports.

Bangladesh Shipping Agents Association already welcomed the proposal with its chairman Syed Mohammad Arif saying Maersk Line owned most containers that carry imported and exported goods through Chittagong Port.