NCT to be operated by CPA

Chattogram Bureau :

The Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) will operate the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT). For this, the port authority has sought approval from the government for a monthly operating expense of Tk 7 crore. Initially, the port authority will operate the NCT for the next six months. Later, a decision will be taken to appoint a private operator through an open tender. The contract with the private operator Saif Powertech is not being extended. Saif Powertech’s term as the operator of this terminal is ending on July 6.
According to sources, Chattogram Port has a total of 4 container terminals. Chittagong Container Terminal (CCT), New Mooring Container Terminal NCT, General Cargo Berth (Container and Bulk) and Patenga Container Terminal (PCT). NCT is the largest of the four terminals and is equipped with modern equipment including key gantry cranes for container handling. In 2007, the port authority built this terminal by spending about Tk 4.7 billion of its own funds.
After the completion of the infrastructure construction of the terminal, several foreign companies showed interest in installing equipment with their own investment and operating the terminal. The port authority also invited international tenders. But later, under pressure from Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan, the tender was canceled. Despite this, the NCT could not be launched even after it was fully built. Later, after seven years, the port authority spent about two thousand crore taka from its own funds to equip the NCT.
The responsibility of container handling at the five jetties of this terminal was given to Saif Powertech, a domestic private company, under the DPM system. The contract period with this company, which was directly appointed under the DPM system, has been extended several times. The latest extended contract period expires on July 6. With this, the port authority has decided to continue container handling activities at this terminal from July 7. A high-level meeting held at the ministry on June 18 asked Saif Powertech not to be in charge of operating the terminal anymore.
In addition to not extending the contract period of Saif Powertech, the port authority decided to take necessary steps to operate the terminal under its own management.
In view of this, the Chairman of the Chattogram Port Authority has requested the Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping to take steps to approve the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs to cover the operating expenses of 42 crore taka per month for six months. The letter states that the operating expenses of the ChattogramPort Authority’s NCT Terminal, including key gantry cranes, rubber-tied gantry cranes and other equipment, and IT management will cost an estimated 42 crore taka per month for six months at the rate of 7 crore taka per month.
According to the prevailing rules, the approval of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs is mandatory for the approval of this expense. The Port Authority has written to the Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping to take the initiative for this approval.
The letter also states that since the term of the private operator will end on July 6, it is important to keep the terminal operation running in the interest of keeping the import and export process of the port normal. Hiring a terminal operator through an open tender is time-consuming.
Therefore, the Port Authority has decided to operate the terminal itself. A concerned official said that Saif Powertech has been working as the operator of the port’s CCT and NCT terminals for a long time. There have been allegations of various irregularities and corruption against them for a long time.
After the government fell in the student uprising, criticism against Saif Powertech added a new dimension. He commented that Saif Powertech has been trying to block the government initiative in various ways since the discussion started about appointing a foreign operator at Chittagong Port. Finally, the Newmooring Container Terminal is being taken from them. The port authorities will definitely take the necessary decision regarding CCT at the end of the term.