From Kamrul Islam, Chattogram: The agreement between Saif Powertec Ltd. and the Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) for operating the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) has officially ended. For 17 consecutive years, Saif Powertec managed the terminal—initially under an open bidding process, and later under direct procurement. Their long-standing operation has demonstrated that container handling at the Chattogram Port is not a highly specialized task requiring exclusive experience or the involvement of long-established contractors or manpower suppliers. With the right management and coordination, the job can be done efficiently by any capable entity.
In the recently concluded fiscal year 2024–25, the port handled a total of 3.2 million TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units), of which 44 percent was handled solely at NCT. The terminal has five berths, capable of accommodating vessels up to 200 meters in length and with a draft of up to 10 meters. Although the designed capacity of NCT is 1.1 million TEUs, the terminal is currently handling up to 1.3 million TEUs annually. The port authority generates around Tk 1,000 crore in revenue each year from NCT alone.
Speaking to BusinessToday24, a former director of the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and a leading industrialist remarked on Saif Powertec’s entry into port operations: “When the company began working nearly 17 years ago, they faced fierce resistance. The company was inexperienced and lacked direct exposure to container handling operations. Critics questioned how such a firm could manage such a sensitive facility. But time has proven those objections were politically motivated and artificially created barriers meant to serve vested interests.”
The former director further noted that Saif Powertec not only managed NCT without prior experience but also achieved exceptional productivity—significantly higher than many general berths. This proves that effective port operations, especially container handling, depend more on efficient management and real-time monitoring than on decades of industry experience. The company’s performance shows that institutional discipline, commitment, and technological efficiency matter more than legacy.
Starting today (Monday), the Bangladesh Navy-controlled Chattogram Dry Dock Limited (CDDL) is taking over NCT’s operations. A formal agreement is being signed between CPA and CDDL. Once a loss-making subsidiary of Bangladesh Steel and Engineering Corporation (BSEC), the dry dock was handed over to the Bangladesh Navy on December 23, 2015. Since then, the organization has undergone restructuring and modernization under naval administration.
CPA Secretary Md. Omar Faruk confirmed that the port authority board has approved a six-month contract with Chattogram Dry Dock as per government directive. Following the formal signing today, Saif Powertec is officially handing over responsibilities.
Saif Powertec Managing Director Tarafdar Ruhul Amin stated that all preparations have been completed for the handover. “If needed, we are ready to extend all possible cooperation in NCT operations going forward. We are committed to ensuring uninterrupted services at the terminal in the national interest,” he said.
It is worth noting that Saif Powertec also operates the Chittagong Container Terminal (CCT) under agreement with the port authority, and handles container operations at Kamalapur ICD in Dhaka. Hence, the company’s operations and personnel in both Dhaka and Chattogram will remain unchanged.
The conclusion of Saif Powertec’s tenure at NCT raises an important question once again: How valid is the demand for prior ‘experience’ when awarding contracts at such economically and strategically sensitive facilities like the Chattogram Port? Or is it now time for the state to prioritize proven efficiency over legacy experience when allocating national infrastructure responsibilities?
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