Chittagong Port Lease to Foreign Firm: Why Was It Not Discussed in Parliament

The New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT), the most crucial terminal of Chittagong Port, has been handed over to UAE-based DP World for operation under a 15-year lease. While the move aims to introduce advanced logistics and streamline operations, sharp questions have been raised regarding the lack of any prior debate or scrutiny inside the national parliament.

According to reported details, DP World is set to invest around $150 million to upgrade and run the terminal, including an upfront payment of $50 million to the port authority. The revenue-sharing model suggests the port will receive between 40 to 67 percent per container handled, alongside annual fees. However, committing a vital strategic asset for a decade and a half without transparent legislative review has drawn scrutiny from civil society and economic observers.

Advocates of modernization argue that Chittagong Port urgently needs global expertise to cut ship turnaround times and bypass administrative bottlenecks. Yet analysts emphasize that embracing foreign capital must not bypass democratic checks. The broader impacts on domestic port laborers, state sovereignty over strategic gateways, and long-term maritime security warranted thorough public evaluation.

Ensuring robust competition and democratic accountability remains vital when leasing prime national infrastructure. While the arrangement may comply with administrative protocols, full transparency before parliament would have dispelled public misgivings. Going forward, rigorous oversight will be essential to ensure national interests remain fully safeguarded throughout the 15-year tenure.