Ctg Port Authority signs deals with BIWTA, Navy on container terminal and new jetty

Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) today signed two separate agreements -- one with Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) to take over long-term management of Pangaon Inland Container Terminal (ICT), and another with Bangladesh Navy to construct a specialised heavy-lift cargo jetty project in the port.

The signing ceremonies were held at BIWTA headquarter in Dhaka in presence of Shipping Adviser Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hussain.

The CPA signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with BIWTA, under which CPA will operate Pangaon ICT and its adjoining 48.24 acres of land on lease, said a press release issued by the CPA this evening.

Initially, the lease will run for 10 years from December 1, 2025 to November 30, 2035, with annual renewal, while the overall contract will remain valid for 30 years.

The MoU was signed following a tripartite meeting among the shipping ministry, BIWTA and CPA as well as according to recommendations of a shipping ministry-formed committee, it said.

Currently, around 95 percent of cargoes from Chattogram port are transported by road, creating heavy pressure on highways and increasing logistics costs. The long-term operation of Pangaon ICT under CPA management is expected to boost cargo movement through safer and more cost-effective river routes.

CPA also plans to set up a free cotton zone at Pangaon ICT to boost trade and attract businesses, according to the release.

CPA also signed a contract with Bangladesh Navy to construct a 240-metre-long heavy-lift cargo jetty with back-up facilities at Laldia-2 area of the port.

CPA Secretary Md Omar Faruk told The Daily Star that the contract was signed following the government's decision to implement the project through the Bangladesh Navy as delegated works as per provision of Public Procurement Rules.

It will be the country's first dedicated facility for handling heavy cargo at the seaport with a load capacity of five tonnes per square metre.

Shipping Ministry Senior Secretary Mohammad Yusuf, CPA Chairman Rear Admiral SM Moniruzzaman, BIWTA Chairman Commodore Arif Ahmed Mostafa, Rear Admiral (retd) Anwar Hossain on behalf of the Navy, CPA Member (Engineering) Commodore Kawsar Rashid, project directors, and senior officials from the ministry, CPA, navy and BIWTA were present.