Bangladesh signs 15-year port deal with UAE-based DP World

Bangladesh signed a 15-year concession agreement Thursday with UAE-based DP World to modernize and operate a major container terminal at the country’s busiest seaport, as police dispersed protesters opposing the deal, Anadolu reports.

The agreement covers the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) at Chattogram Port, which handles approximately 44% of the port’s container traffic.

Chattogram Port Authority Chairman Rear Adm. Md Moniruzzaman and DP World Chairman Essa Kazim signed the agreement in Dhaka, according to a government statement.

Shipping Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam and UAE Ambassador Abdulla Ali Al Hamoudi attended the ceremony.

Under the agreement, DP World will modernize and operate the terminal, while ownership of the land and infrastructure will remain with Bangladesh.

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NCT was previously operated by Chittagong Dry Dock Limited, a state-owned company managed by the Bangladesh Navy, which took over in July 2025 after private operator Saif Powertec’s nearly 18-year tenure ended.

Meanwhile, police baton-charged demonstrators outside the signing venue, dispersing activists from several left-wing organizations, including the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), according to local daily Prothom Alo.

CPB President Sazzad Zahir Chandan accused the government of compromising national sovereignty through the agreement.

The party said several protesters, including Chandan, were injured.

The agreement comes as Bangladesh expands foreign participation in port operations, including a separate Saudi-operated terminal at Chattogram.

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