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🇧🇩 Bangladesh /Elections & Politics

Bangladesh Won't Cancel Port Terminal Deal with Denmark, Minister Says

From Daily Star · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Bangladesh's Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam stated there are no plans to cancel or renegotiate the agreement for the Laldia Container Terminal at Chittagong Port.
  • The 33-year concession agreement was signed with Denmark's APMT BV, involving a US$550 million investment and expected to increase port capacity and facilitate technology transfer.
  • The minister assured parliament that the agreement, a G2G PPP project between Bangladesh and Denmark, was executed transparently following government processes.

Bangladesh's Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam has assured parliament that the government has no intention of canceling or renegotiating the agreement to outsource the development and operation of the Laldia Container Terminal at Chittagong Port.

The agreement has been executed with transparency by following the government process. It is a G2G PPP agreement between the Government of Bangladesh and the Government of Denmark.

— Shaikh Rabiul AlamShipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam assuring parliament about the transparency of the Laldia Container Terminal agreement.

Responding to a query in parliament, Minister Alam confirmed that the Chittagong Port Authority signed a concession agreement with Denmark's APMT BV. The agreement, effective from November 17, 2025, spans 33 years, including three years for construction and 30 years for operation, with an option for a 15-year extension. The Denmark-based company is set to invest US$550 million in the project.

"The agreement has been executed with transparency by following the government process. It is a G2G PPP agreement between the Government of Bangladesh and the Government of Denmark," the minister stated. He highlighted that the new terminal, being built on an empty site, will enhance Chittagong Port's capacity, create employment opportunities, and foster technology transfer.

It is worth noting that the terminal is being built on an empty site at the Chittagong Port. The addition of the new terminal will increase the capacity of the Chittagong Port, create employment and facilitate technology transfer.

— Shaikh Rabiul AlamMinister Alam explaining the benefits of the new container terminal project.

The project is being implemented under the "Public-Private Partnership Act, 2015," adhering to relevant government policies and guidelines. A memorandum of understanding between Bangladesh and Denmark was initially signed on June 30, 2021, to develop sustainable infrastructure through public-private partnership, with APM Terminals, a subsidiary of the Maersk Group, as the implementing entity. The project received subsequent approvals from various government committees and the Danish government.

There are no plans to cancel or renegotiate it.

— Shaikh Rabiul AlamShipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam responding to a query about the Laldia Container Terminal agreement.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Daily Star in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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