The Agreement also applies to the operation of the Overflow Container Yard. Chittagong Port Authority retains ownership of the infrastructure, with DP World acting as the operational concessionaire. The investment amount has not been publicly disclosed.
The deal is based on an intergovernmental basis: the initial memorandum was signed between the Government of Dubai and the Office of Public-Private Partnership at the Office of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh.
The terminal's development plan includes the modernization of civil infrastructure and equipment, the introduction of digital solutions, and the optimization of cargo handling. DP World will focus on berth planning, yard management, use of machinery, preventive maintenance, safety and sustainable development. A separate area is the training of local staff and the implementation of international operational standards.
"Bangladesh is an increasingly important trading and manufacturing economy, and we are committed to supporting its continued development," said Essa Kazim, Executive Chairman of DP World.
S.M. Moniruzzaman, Chairman of the Chittagong Port Authority, described the partnership as a tool to strengthen Bangladesh's position in regional and global supply chains and create a platform for attracting investment and long-term economic growth.
The context of the deal is set by Bangladesh's national climate plan, the Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan, which provides for a 50% reduction in logistics costs by 2030. Modernization of the port infrastructure is designated as a priority in it.
DP World has a total transshipment capacity of 110 million TEU and provides about 10% of the global daily trade flow. The company has invested about $10 billion in a logistics network covering 85 countries. The Chittagong project fits into an active international expansion: at the same time, the operator is investing $ 90 million in the modernization of the port of Luanda in Angola and is working on two major port and economic projects in Nigeria.
For Russian and Eurasian foreign trade participants focused on trade with Bangladesh, a major supplier of textiles and ready—to—wear, DP World's arrival in Chittagong means faster container handling and a potential reduction in transit times through the South Asian hub. Companies already using routes through the port will have access to digital cargo management tools from the operator's global network. The next step is to monitor how freight rates and shipping schedules will change after the launch of the updated operational mode.
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