DHAKA/CHATTOGRAM, November 17, 2025 – Major questions are being raised in Bangladesh today as the government moves to finalize two long-term port terminal contracts with foreign operators at an unprecedented speed, dismissing standard review periods and raising concerns over national interest.
The agreements, involving the new Laldiya terminal in Chattogram and the existing Pangaon River Terminal near Dhaka, are scheduled for simultaneous signing ceremonies at the Intercontinental Hotel in Dhaka this morning.
The Laldiya Terminal Deal: A Two-Week Rush
The most contentious deal involves the construction and operation of the Laldiya Container Terminal on the Laldiya Char of the Chattogram Port. The contract is set to be signed between the Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) and APM Terminals, a global operator owned by Denmark’s Maersk but registered in the Netherlands.
The deal is for a staggering 33-year term, with an option to extend for an additional 15 years.
According to a report by the International Finance Corporation (IFC)—the World Bank arm that acted as the transaction advisor—the period between the operator (APM Terminals) submitting its proposal and the final signing was scheduled to take 62 days. However, the port authorities concluded the entire process in a mere two weeks with “abnormal speed.”
Rapid Timeline:
- November 4: APM Terminals submitted its technical and financial proposals.
- November 5-6: Technical and Financial evaluation completed.
- November 7-8 (Weekend): Negotiation sessions reportedly held over the public holiday.
- November 9: Port Board approved the proposal.
- November 10-12: Proposal approved by Shipping and Law Ministries, and then recommended by the Advisory Committee on Economic Affairs.
- November 16: Final approval from the Chief Advisor and Letter of Award (LOA) issued to APM Terminals.
- November 17: Contract Signing.
Normally, two weeks are given after issuing the LOA for the contract signing, but in this case, the signing is happening in less than 24 hours.
Pangaon River Terminal Deal
Concurrently, the Pangaon River Terminal near Dhaka is being handed over to Medlog SA of Switzerland for a 22-year operating term. Built jointly by the CPA and the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) for BDT 156 crore in 2013, this deal has also been pushed through rapidly, with evaluations and approval completed in about ten days. Medlog SA’s final financial offer was settled at approximately BDT 121 crore after negotiation.
Secrecy and National Interest Concerns
Experts familiar with port affairs emphasized that such long-term contracts require intense scrutiny to safeguard national interests, citing a cautionary example from Djibouti. In 2004, a terminal contract with DP World was so heavily biased toward the operator that when the Djibouti government attempted to terminate it, an international court ordered Djibouti to pay over $530 million in damages and royalties.
Adding to the controversy, the Laldiya long-term contract includes a ‘Non-Disclosure Agreement,’ meaning key details will remain confidential, fueling suspicion among political and economic analysts.
Professor Anu Muhammad, a member of the Democratic Rights Committee, sharply criticized the process. Speaking to the press yesterday, he stated, “The secrecy and haste in finalizing such long-term agreements pose a threat to the national interest. This hurried process, prioritizing port deals over crucial issues like elections and law enforcement, only raises suspicion, suggesting that foreign corporate interests are being served through commissioned agents.”
Meanwhile, the Shipping Advisor, who visited the port last week, offered reassurance, stating that no terminal would be granted in a manner that harms the country’s interests, promising details would be public following the signing.
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