The Patenga Container Terminal (PCT) in Chattogram Port may be launched in the first week of July. The port authority expects to handle 4.5 lakh TEUS containers a year.
Four companies from Saudi Arabia, Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, India and Singapore wanted to operate the Patenga Container Terminal (PCT) but no one has been finalized yet. These include the Red Sea Gateway Terminal in Saudi Arabia, DP World in Dubai, Adani Port and Special Economic Zone Limited in India and PSA in Singapore. It will be decided by the Prime Minister's Office which organization will be responsible for the operation of Patenga Container Terminal.
It is learned that Patenga Container Terminal (PCT) is being constructed to increase the capacity of Chattogram Port in line with the growth of the country. The construction of the project is 90 percent complete. If all goes well, the operational activities will start from July 2022. Once the construction of the terminal is completed, it will be operated and maintained by an international private operator. It will have a container handling capacity of 4 lakh 50 thousand TEUs per year.
The project has completed construction of three jetties in 583 meter container terminal, 204 meter dolphin jetty, 80,000 sq meter RCC pavement / yard, 420 m flyover, four lane road. Other constructions including office building are also nearing completion. Approval has already been given to buy tugboats, pilot boats, speed boats and petrol pick-ups.
A project titled 'Equip, Operate and Maintenance of PCT on PPP Model' is being undertaken for the recruitment of international standard private operators for the project under Public Port Private Authority (PPP) system. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has given its policy approval.
At present 32 lakh containers are being handled through Chattogram port. Chattogram Port Authority will have to handle 58 lakh 19 thousand units in 2031 and 75 lakh 97 thousand units in 2043.
Engineer Mizanur Rahman Sarkar, Project Director of Patenga Container Terminal, said, "The construction of Patenga Container Terminal is 90 percent complete. The operation will start in the first week of July. However, four companies from four countries want to work as operators of PCT. Which will be selected from the Prime Minister's Office. '
He said, "It will be possible to unload ships at Patenga container terminal in less time than the main jetty of the port." The three jetties of the PCT will be able to carry ships up to 190 meters in length at the same time. Besides, the road connectivity with this jetty is very good. Chattogram Port Authority Secretary Omar Faruq said, "The place of professionalism of international operators is much stronger. The construction of the PCT is almost 90 percent complete.
The project titled Patenga Container Terminal, which is being implemented by the Chattogram Port Authority at its own expense, was approved at an estimated cost of Tk. 1,868 crore on 13 June 2017. The deadline for its implementation was December 2019. RDPP was sent by Chattogram Port proposing an estimated cost of Tk 1,393.41 crore and extension of the project till December 2021. According to a pre-survey, the annual operating cost of the terminal is 8 million.
When the terminal is fully ready, there will be facility for loading and unloading of containers from three ships simultaneously. It can handle 4.5 lakh containers a year. There will also be facilities for loading oil tankers. Ships of 9.5 meter draft and 190 meter length can be loaded at this terminal.
The army is implementing the construction of Patenga container terminal. After completion of the work, they will hand over the terminal to Chattogram port.
