DP World Signs 15-Year Concession for Chittagong Port

On 8 October 2026, the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) and UAE-based DP World signed a concession agreement to hand over the modernization and operation of the New Mooring Container Terminal. The agreement is framed as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), whereby DP World will invest more than USD 100 million to upgrade the port in return for the right to operate in for 15 years.

Under the PPP, the Government of Bangladesh retains 100% ownership and DP World will act as the private operator. The Agreement employs a revenue-sharing model whereby the Chittagong Port Authority receives a sliding royalty between 40% to 67% on each container handling fee. Based on an average of $152 per TEU, this means CPA will receive $93 to %100.

On the other hand, DP World shall pay an upfront payment of #$50 million and a fixed annual fee of $1.2M regardless of container volume. DP World agrees to maintain a minimum guaranteed volume of 1.23 million TEU per year, although the contract has a relief clause to compensate for the nearby Bay Terminal diverting business away from NCT.

For fiscal year 2024-2025, Chittagong Port saw a throughput of nearly 3.3 million TEU, representing a 4% year-on-year growth. The customs report a 9.7% growth in revenue from Tk 68.758 crore in FY 2023-34 to Tk 75,432 crore in FY 2024-25.

Currently, NCT handles nearly 40% of Chittagong’s container traffic. With the modernization of NCT, the terminal is expected to handle up to 1.8 million TEU annually. The World Bank International Finance Corporation — which funded the neighboring Bay Terminal — acted as Transaction Advisor on this deal.

DP World has also committed to a training program and to favor local over foreign workforce. DP World plans to deploy its Automated Berth Planning software, Advanced Yard Management System and IoT-based monitoring system. Confronted with stron opposition, the Government of Bangladesh had to issue guarantees to preserve the jobs of existing port workers.