Bangladesh has taken a major step toward strengthening its maritime and trade infrastructure with the signing of a concession agreement for the development of the Laldia Container Terminal in Chattogram. The project represents an investment exceeding USD 550 million, making it one of the largest Public Private Partnership (PPP) investments in the country’s history.
The agreement was signed between the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) and APM Terminals – part of A.P. Moller-Maersk – together with local partner QNS Container Services Ltd. The concession agreement will allow APM Terminals to operate the terminal for a period of 30 years, which can be extended based on KPIs (key performance indicators). The Laldia Container Terminal will be fully designed, financed, built and operated by the investors – a first-of-its-kind model for Bangladesh’s port infrastructure.
Keith Svendsen, CEO, APM Terminals, said: “It is with great honour that we enter this agreement with Bangladesh, which underscores the great potential that this important market has. This greenfield project enables us to play an active role in supporting the growth of the local manufacturers, exporters, importers and the broader Bangladeshi economy. We are strengthening our commitment to the country with an aim of creating a safe and efficient terminal as well as creating skilled jobs for the future prosperity of the region.”
Strengthening partnerships for sustainable growth
The project is part of the Sustainable Green Framework Engagement between Denmark and Bangladesh, a bilateral initiative aimed at fostering green investment, job creation and sustainable economic relations.
(....)