Chittagong Dry Dock Limited (CDDL), a state-owned entity operated by the Bangladesh Navy, has officially taken over operations of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) at the Chattogram port, starting Monday.

The move follows the expiry of the contract with the previous operator, Saif Powertec Ltd, on July 6. The handover was completed in the presence of senior officials from the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) and the Bangladesh Navy.

As per a recent government decision, CDDL will operate the terminal on an interim basis for six months, until a new operator is appointed.

The appointment was made in accordance with the Public Procurement Rules, 2008, and a formal contract is expected to be signed soon, said CPA Secretary Md Omar Faruk.

Importantly, all existing staff previously employed by Saif Powertec at the NCT will retain their roles under CDDL’s authority, ensuring operational continuity.

Saif Powertec had been operating both the Chittagong Container Terminal (CCT) and NCT since their inception. The NCT began operations in 2007, but faced years of underutilisation due to a lack of equipment. This changed after the CPA completed key machinery installations, including quayside gantry cranes, by 2022.

In 2024, the NCT handled approximately 1.26 million TEUs out of the port’s total throughput of 3.28 million TEUs, highlighting its critical role in Bangladesh’s trade logistics.