Bangladesh, DP World to sign 15-year New Mooring terminal deal today

Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates are set to sign a 15-year concession agreement with Dubai-based DP World today (8 October) to operate and maintain Chattogram Port’s New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) and its Overflow Container Yard (OCY), amid a threat from workers to shut down the port if the deal goes ahead.

The signing ceremony is scheduled for 3pm today at the Invest Bangladesh Auditorium in Dhaka, according to an invitation issued by the governments of Bangladesh and the UAE.

Invest Bangladesh Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun and DP World Board of Directors Chairman Essa Kazim are expected to attend, among other dignitaries.

The agreement marks a major step in the government’s long-running effort to bring an international operator into NCT, the port’s busiest container terminal.

But the move has drawn strong opposition from port workers and other stakeholders, who have threatened to shut down Chattogram Port and halt vessel movements up to Kutubdia outer anchorage if the proposed NCT concession agreement is signed.

Yesterday (7 October), workers’ organisations, including the Chattogram Bandar Rokkha Sangram Parishad, staged a torch procession protesting the proposed leasing of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) and Ocean Container Yard (OCY).

They announced another procession for 3pm today and further programmes on 13 October.

Earlier, parishad coordinator Ibrahim Khokon warned that port operations would be suspended if the agreement is signed.

The protesters oppose foreign operators at NCT, Chattogram Container Terminal (CCT) and General Cargo Berths (GCB), and have demanded talks with the government before any agreement is finalised.

The protests came after the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs gave in-principle approval on 1 October to a draft 15-year concession agreement for NCT and OCY. Under the proposed deal, DP World, nominated by the Government of Dubai, would upgrade, operate and maintain NCT.

NCT, the port’s largest container terminal, handled around 44% of Chattogram Port’s container volume in 2025. Workers have warned of a broader movement if their demands are ignored.

The Business Standard contacted the Chittagong Port Authority for comment, but calls and messages went unanswered.