Chittagong Dry Dock Limited (CDDL) is likely to be requested to continue operating the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) at Chattogram Port after January 7, as the process of appointing a new operator remains stalled, Shipping Adviser Brigadier General (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain said on Monday.
He told journalists on Monday evening at the Chattogram Port Building that the current six-month contract between the Chattogram Port Authority and Navy-run Chittagong Dry Dock Limited will expire on January 7, but delays in finalising a new operator mean CDDL is expected to continue managing the terminal beyond that date.
Responding to queries on who would operate the NCT after January 7, the shipping adviser said the process of appointing Dubai-based DP World remains halted due to a writ petition pending before the High Court, leaving no immediate alternative.
“Since the appointment of a foreign operator is under a writ case, I do not want to comment on that issue,” he said. “After January 7, CDDL will be requested to continue operating the NCT, because at this moment there is no scope to appoint any other operator.”
Earlier in the day, the shipping adviser attended a meeting at the Chattogram Port Building to review overall port operations, including progress on the Bay Terminal project, with senior officials from the Chattogram Port Authority, Customs and other relevant agencies present at the meeting.
