SIMIC

BANGLADESH Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has inaugurated the Patenga Container Terminal (PCT), featuring three jetties and an annual capacity to handle 500,000 TEU through a virtual programme, The Daily Star reports.

However, the new terminal will not be fully operational until the appointment of a foreign operator and installation of heavy container handling equipment by the operator.



Port users and businesses stressed the need to make the terminal fully operational as quickly as possible to capitalize on its benefits. They said vessels berthed at the PCT would be able to load and unload containers in a shorter period since it is located much closer to the Karnaphuli estuary than existing port jetties.



The government nominated Saudi Arabia owned Red Sea Gateway Terminal International (RSGTI) to operate the terminal but an agreement on its appointment is yet to be finalized.



Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) Secretary Md Omar Faruk said a Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) technical team finalized negotiations with the Saudi firm on technical and financial aspects and sent a draft agreement to higher authorities of the government for approval.



He hoped that an agreement with the firm would be signed within this month.



The government approved the project to construct the PCT on around 32 acres of land in Patenga in June 2017.



Initial plans were to implement the project between July 2017 and December 2019, but it was later revised and extended to June 2022.



Bangladesh Shipping Agents Association (BSAA) chairman Syed Md Arif lamented the time lost due to the delays appointing a foreign operator. The same happened to the previously built New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT), which remained idle for several years due to delays in decisions over procedures of operations, he said.



Delays in making a project fully operational are a hindrance to achieving optimum benefit from infrastructure, he opined.