Shasha Denims PLC has been selected to develop the Multimodal Ghorashal ICD project, involving an estimated Tk500 crore, through a joint venture with Incontrade Limited.
The leading export-oriented garment maker submitted a bid in the third round of tenders called by Container Company of Bangladesh Limited (CCBL), finally ending its prolonged search for eligible contractors
A CCBL board meeting on December 10 approved the proposal, selecting the company to construct and operate an inland container depot (ICD) on about 20 acres of land near the Ghorashal Railway Station in Narsingdi. Through its joint venture, Shasha Denims will run the off-dock for a 30-year lease period.
An offer letter was subsequently issued to the leading export-oriented denim manufacturer on December 15.
CCBL Managing Director Mia Jahan informed that no bids came in the first two tenders.
“In the third round, two companies purchased tender documents, but ultimately only Shasha Denims submitted a bid,” he said.
“We are optimistic that construction will soon start,” Jahan added.
According to the CCBL, a concern of the state-owned Bangladesh Railway, the operator will bear the entire Tk500 crore investment.
Each year after completion, the operator will pay CCBL Tk2 crore and share 15 per cent of its container-handling revenue. The ICD will be capable of handling 100,000 TEUs annually.
Incontrade Limited, a private off-dock operator, currently runs one of the 21 private ICDs in Chattogram, with the facility located at Laldia Char on the banks of the Karnaphuli River.
The depot has a capacity of 8,000 TEUs and is well regarded for handling import-export cargo linked to Chattogram port.
Contacted, Shasha Denims Managing Director Shams Mahmud said the company is now assessing whether it should instead form the joint venture with a foreign partner.
“We will need at least about a month for company formation, planning and procedural preparations. After that, a final decision will be made,” he said.
Railway officials said that with new industries emerging every year and trade volumes rising, the Ghorashal ICD will play a crucial role in supporting logistics and reducing pressure on existing facilities, marking a significant step in domestic multimodal transport infrastructure.
Chattogram port handles approximately 3.3 million TEUs of import-export and empty containers each year.
Export cargo routed through Chattogram port is typically brought to the ICDs and stuffed into containers before being shipped abroad.
Of the 21 private ICDs, only the Kamalapur ICD in Dhaka, owned by Chattogram Port Authority, transports cargo by rail.
But due to operational constraints, particularly limited daytime cargo movement, there has long been discussion about relocating the Kamalapur ICD.
Against this backdrop, Bangladesh Railway initiated the Ghorashal ICD project to strengthen rail-based cargo movement.
Railway officials expect the Ghorashal ICD to enable efficient transport of import-export cargo to Chattogram port, with future connectivity to Mongla Port also planned.
Data from the Bangladesh Inland Container Depot Association show that the 21 ICDs have a collective annual storage capacity of 106,000 TEUs. Yet, they handle around 750,000 TEUs of export cargo, 300,000 TEUs of import cargo, and 120,000 TEUs of empty containers each year.
The CCBL’s latest call for contractor bids came on July 21 under the open tender method.
The Ghorashal ICD is expected to significantly ease cargo movement between Chattogram port and the industrial hubs of Gazipur, Narsingdi, and Mymensingh.
In response, to the initial lack of bids, the CCBL extended the lease period from 25 to 30 years and reduced the required signature fee from Tk10 crore to Tk6 crore.
Although the second tender drew interest from major players, including Singapore Port Authority, DP World, Summit, QNS and Vertex, ultimately no bids were received.
