The Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) has signed a landmark concession agreement with APM Terminals BV — wholly owned by Maersk A/S of the AP Møller Foundation — to develop and operate the Laldia Container Terminal (LCT) under a long-term Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework at a city hotel on Monday morning.
The 30-year concession, with an extension linked to key performance indicators, marks one of the most significant foreign investments in Bangladesh’s port sector and is expected to elevate the country’s container-handling capacity and global trade competitiveness.
The signing ceremony took place at the Intercontinental Dhaka on Sunday, with Shipping Adviser Brigadier General (Retd) Dr M Sakhawat Hussain attending as the chief guest.
Denmark’s State Secretary for Trade and Investment Lina Gandløse Hansen and Ambassador Christian Brix Møller were present as special guests, underscoring the deepening economic partnership between Bangladesh and Denmark. The event was chaired by PPP Authority CEO Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun.
Speaking at the ceremony, Adviser Sakhawat Hussain said the investment would significantly boost employment opportunities, especially for the country’s youth.
“Once the project is complete, many young generations, particularly the educated youth of Bangladesh, will get jobs,” he said.
He noted that Bangladesh has a strong and capable workforce, many of whom work in Europe and North America, and called for greater utilisation of this talent within the country.
Acknowledging the historically low levels of foreign investment in Bangladesh, Sakhawat described the agreement as the beginning of “a new journey,” adding that the deal demonstrates the government’s commitment to facilitating globally competitive, investor-friendly projects.
Using the platform to send a strong message to international investors, Sakhawat said: “I’m inviting other countries as well to invest in Bangladesh.”
He emphasised that Bangladesh remains one of the most reliable investment destinations in South Asia, attributing this to the “hardworking people of the country.”
The adviser expressed optimism that the inter-governmental cooperation behind the Laldia project would dispel lingering doubts and reinforce confidence in Bangladesh’s ability to deliver major infrastructure ventures.
The Laldia Container Terminal — strategically located along the River Karnaphuli — is expected to play a pivotal role in Chittagong Port’s modernization plans. Under the PPP model, APM Terminals will design, finance, build, and operate the facility, bringing in global operational expertise and advanced technology.
Officials said the terminal will help reduce congestion, enhance container-handling efficiency, and strengthen the port’s position as a key trade gateway for the region.
The agreement adds a major milestone to Bangladesh’s growing PPP portfolio and marks the strongest bilateral logistics cooperation between Bangladesh and Denmark to date.