Partial operation of New-mooring Container Terminal (NCT) at the Chittagong Port started yesterday after more than eight years of its construction, involving Tk582 crore.
Shipping Minister Mohammed Shahajahan Khan inaugurated the terminal at a programme as the chief guest with Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) Chairman Nizamuddin Ahmed in the chair when Chittagong Mayor AJM Nasiruddin and lawmaker MA Latif were present, among others.
According to CPA sources, the project was implemented involving Tk582 crore in December, 2007 while the tender procedure for the appointment of operator was initiated on August 11, 2008.
However, the ministry at a meeting held in February 2010 decided to re-invite pre-qualified tender, postponing the earlier procedure and relaxing different conditions with an aim to include more companies as pre-qualified.
A pre-qualified company filed a case, protesting the ministry’s decision, which created a complexity in initiating terminal operation.
Recently, the court dismissed the case and the port, on June 25 last, signed a deal with the private operator, Saif Powertech, to handle container at the jetty No. 4 and 5.
CPA sources said process was on to operate two other jetties of the biggest terminal of the port.
