Bangladesh has signed a concession agreement for the development of the Laldia Container Terminal in Chattogram, advancing a major addition to the country’s maritime and trade infrastructure.
The project, valued at more than $550 million, is one of Bangladesh’s largest Public–Private Partnership investments.
The agreement between the Chittagong Port Authority, APM Terminals (APMT) and local partner QNS Container Services Ltd. grants APMT a 30-year operational concession, extendable based on performance.
The terminal will be designed, financed, built and operated by the investors, marking a first for port infrastructure in Bangladesh.
The project forms part of the Sustainable Green Framework Engagement between Denmark and Bangladesh, aimed at supporting green investment and long-term economic cooperation.
Bangladeshi officials described the terminal as a step towards greater transparency, increased port capacity and improved competitiveness in global markets.
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Danish representatives highlighted the scale of the investment as evidence of continued commercial confidence in Bangladesh.
According to the Chittagong Port Authority, the terminal will significantly increase port capacity and improve the flow of national trade.
Local partners noted the role of the project in modernising port operations and developing more reliable supply chains.
Once operational in 2030, the terminal is expected to raise Bangladesh’s annual handling capacity by more than 800,000 TEUs, improving connectivity for key export sectors including textiles, apparel and manufacturing.
Over time, the new deep-water facility is expected to accommodate vessels of up to 6,000 TEU, compared with the current limit of 2,800 TEU, helping to reduce congestion and lower logistics costs.
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The project is forecast to create more than 1,000 jobs during construction and over 500 roles in operations, with additional employment generated across the wider supply chain.
Training and apprenticeship programmes are planned to build local skills and support workforce development.
The terminal is intended to be one of South Asia’s first energy-efficient, low-emission port facilities, aligned with Bangladesh’s climate objectives.
Planned features include electrified handling equipment, solar power installations and shore-power-ready systems.
These measures aim to cut GHG emissions and reduce air and noise pollution for workers and nearby communities.
For more information:
APM Terminals (APMT) – https://www.apmterminals.com/
