Chittagong Dry Dock Limited (CDDL), a naval ship repair company under the Bangladesh Navy, has officially assumed operational control of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) at Chittagong Port.

According to local newspaper Prothom Alo, the transition took effect at 12:01 a.m. on July 6, following the expiration of Saif Powertech's operating contract with the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA). This marks the first time CDDL has engaged in terminal operations.

Port sources report that Navy officers with experience in Chittagong, Mongla, and Payra ports are now overseeing NCT’s management. Operations have continued without disruption, with Saif Powertech’s personnel—now employed by CDDL—still managing terminal equipment, including 14 gantry cranes.

CPA Secretary Omar Faruk stated, “Operations at the new terminal are continuing as before. Saif Powertech staff have transitioned to CDDL and are running the terminal smoothly under the new management.”

Built in 2007 with an investment of BDT 2.712 billion (approximately USD 231.5 million), the NCT is the largest and most advanced of Chittagong Port’s four container terminals. It can simultaneously berth five vessels—four ocean-going and one inland—and handles a significant portion of the port’s container traffic.

Saif Powertech had partial operational control since 2007 and full control since 2015. It now only manages the Chittagong Container Terminal (CCT).

CDDL’s involvement is expected to be temporary until a final long-term agreement is reached with global operator DP World. The deal, facilitated with the support of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), is expected to be signed in November.

This transition comes as Chittagong Port sets a new container throughput record for the 2024–25 fiscal year, handling 3.29 million TEUs—up 4% despite strikes and holiday disruptions.