Play store
Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has said Danish company APM Terminals’ investment in Bangladesh marks a milestone, as the company is set to build a modern container terminal at Laldia in Chattogram.
“The arrival of APM Terminals in Bangladesh is a milestone. They will build a modern port at Laldia, and the government is providing all-out support,” he said.
The minister made the remarks as the chief guest at the groundbreaking ceremony of the APM Terminals Laldia project in Patenga on Sunday (August 30).
Road Transport and Bridges, Railways and Shipping Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam, MP, attended the event as a special guest.
Amir Khosru said he was particularly pleased that the terminal was being built in his parliamentary constituency.
“We have an elected government with an ambitious economic programme. Building a trillion-dollar economy is not possible for the government alone; the private sector must come forward,” he said.
Sheikh Robiul Alam said the project would mark a new chapter for Bangladesh’s international trade.
“Today, a new chapter is being written. Our import-export trade is moving towards international standards,” he said, describing the APM Terminals Laldia project as a major investment under a public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement.
He said the terminal would offer a range of modern facilities and strengthen Chattogram Port, which he described as the lifeline of the country’s economy.
“Chattogram Port is the lifeblood of our economy. It is already a commercial hub, and that hub is expanding,” he said, adding that several other companies are also interested in investing in the port.
APM Terminals Laldia Chief Executive Officer Ramesh David said the terminal would use advanced technology.
Chattogram Port Authority Chairman Rear Admiral SM Moniruzzaman said Chattogram Port handles about 92% of Bangladesh’s import-export trade and more than 98% of the country’s container traffic.
He said container handling at the port has been doubling every 10 years and welcomed foreign investment partners to Bangladesh.
The event was also addressed by APM Terminals BV Global Head of Business Implementation Jake Craig, Danish Ambassador Christian Bricks Moller and Shipping Ministry Secretary Zakaria.
The project, being developed with an investment of more than $750 million, will be implemented by APM Terminals, with QNS Container Services Ltd as its local partner.
The terminal will feature seven ship-to-shore (STS) gantry cranes, 32 electric rubber-tyred gantry cranes (eRTGs) and 41 electric terminal tractors.
The facility will be built on 59.15 acres along the Karnaphuli River. The main terminal will cover 32 acres, while 7.15 acres will be used for the container yard and 10 acres for truck parking.
Construction is expected to take three years. The operating concession will run for 30 years, with an option to extend it by another 15 years.
The terminal will have an annual handling capacity of 900,000 TEUs and a 613-metre jetty capable of accommodating vessels with a draft of up to 10.5 metres and a capacity of 6,000 TEUs.
It will also allow round-the-clock vessel operations.
Under the agreement, Chattogram Port Authority will receive a one-time payment of $25 million from APM Terminals, along with an annual concession fee of $250,000 and $23 for each container handled.
APM Terminals will spend $15 million on rehabilitating people affected by displacement from the project area.
The Laldia terminal is expected to begin commercial operations in 2030.