Political influence has once again become a subject of discussion surrounding the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT), the most important container terminal of Chattogram Port.
Fresh controversy has emerged in the port community after Saif Powertec Ltd, which operated NCT for 17 years during the Awami League government, proposed a new consortium that includes two BNP lawmakers, seeking a further 15-year operating contract for the terminal.
The move has reignited concerns among port stakeholders over whether political considerations are again shaping decisions involving one of the country’s most important economic assets.
At the centre of the debate is the Saif-Cosmos-Everest Port Services Consortium, which recently submitted its proposal to the Ministry of Shipping seeking a long-term operating contract for NCT.
The consortium comprises Saif Powertec Limited, Cosmos Enterprises and Everest Port Services. Cosmos Enterprises is chaired by ABM Ashraf Uddin Nijan, BNP Member of Parliament for Lakshmipur-4 and parliamentary whip. Everest Port Services is led by Shahadat Hossain Selim, BNP-nominated MP for Lakshmipur-1 and former secretary general of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), who later joined the BNP.
Port industry observers say the involvement of politically connected figures in a proposal concerning a strategic national asset has revived concerns over political influence in port management decisions.
Rejecting allegations of political motivation, Shahadat Hossain Selim said the consortium was formed on commercial grounds and in the interest of maintaining domestic participation in the country’s port sector.
“We did not form this consortium to gain any political advantage,” Selim told TIMES of Bangladesh. “We submitted the proposal as a domestic consortium because we believe local experience should be prioritised. Our objective is to ensure that strategic national assets do not fall entirely into foreign hands.”
He argued that local companies have the capacity to manage the terminal effectively and that greater domestic participation is necessary to safeguard national interests.
The proposal comes at a time when discussions have intensified over the possible involvement of Dubai-based global port operator DP World in the future management of NCT. The previous interim administration reportedly advanced negotiations with DP World and nearly finalised an agreement before stepping back from the process. More recently, the Ministry of Shipping instructed the Chattogram Port chairman to continue discussions with the international operator.
Saif Powertec’s rise in port operations
According to industry sources, Saif Powertec entered the port sector during the BNP-led government under then Shipping Minister Akbar Hossain, initially through labour supply for crane operations.
In 2005, despite having no prior experience in container terminal management, the company was awarded the contract to operate the Chittagong Container Terminal (CCT). Questions were later raised over the 2008 re-tendering process, with critics alleging that lower-bidding competitors failed to secure the contract.
Controversy over NCT intensified in 2012, when leading global operators, including APM Terminals, DP World and PSA International, showed interest in an international tender. However, the Chittagong Port Authority later cancelled the process without selecting a winner.
In 2018, after investing in terminal equipment, Saif Powertec was awarded the NCT operating contract through the Direct Procurement Method (DPM).
Industry stakeholders have long alleged that tender conditions for major terminal operations were structured to favour Saif Powertec, limiting meaningful competition from domestic and international operators.
Allegations of political patronage
Several port-sector insiders claim that during the Awami League government’s tenure, Saif Powertec strengthened its position through close relationships with influential political figures.
According to industry sources, the company maintained strong ties with prominent Awami League leaders, including former Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan, former MP Liton Chowdhury and former Chattogram City Mayor Azam Nasir Uddin.
Over time, the company expanded its footprint across key logistics facilities, including CCT, NCT, Kamalapur Inland Container Depot (ICD), Pangaon Inland Container Terminal and operations at Mongla Port.
Critics argue that this extensive presence created a near-monopoly in certain areas of port operations, while supporters contend that the company’s experience and investment justified its continued involvement.
Responding to allegations of political affiliation, Saif Powertec Managing Director Tarafdar Ruhul Amin denied any link between the company and political parties.
“Saif Powertec is not affiliated with any political party,” he said. “We are not members of any political organisation. We work based on experience, performance and capability. We maintain business relationships with those who wish to work with us.”
NCT performance under Navy management
NCT is currently being operated by Chittagong Dry Dock Limited (CDDL), a Bangladesh Navy-owned enterprise, which formally assumed responsibility for the terminal in July 2025.
According to operational data, the terminal’s productivity has improved under the current management. In May 2026, NCT handled a record 126,496 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), surpassing the previous record of 125,533 TEUs achieved in October 2025.
