CPA and Maersk's APM Terminals Ink Historic $550M Laldia Port Deal

The Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) is set to sign a landmark concession agreement with APM Terminals BV, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Maersk A/S, for the development and operation of the Laldia Container Terminal (LCT) in Chattogram.

This 30-year agreement, which includes a potential extension based on KPIs, marks the single largest European equity investment in Bangladesh to date, amounting to an expected US $550 million in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). The agreement, operating under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework, mandates APM Terminals to design, finance, build, and operate the LCT.

Ownership of the port infrastructure will remain with the CPA, while APM Terminals, along with a local joint venture partner, will manage construction and operations. The signing ceremony will take place at the Intercontinental Hotel, presided over by Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, CEO of the PPP Authority, with Adviser Brigadier General (Retd) Dr. M. Sakhawat Hussain as the chief guest.

The project is developed under a revenue-sharing concession model, generating a stable foreign-currency income stream for Bangladesh while significantly minimizing the capital expenditure burden for the government. The investment signals high confidence to other international financiers, attracting additional FDI to related sectors like logistics and manufacturing.

The new green port is expected to be commissioned by 2030, immediately alleviating current congestion at existing terminals. It will add over 800,000+ TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) annually, boosting Chattogram Port's capacity by 44%.

LCT will introduce world-class technology and operational excellence, enabling 24/7 port operations with night navigation for ships of permissible length and draught—a first for Bangladesh. The terminal is designed to accommodate vessels twice the size of current container carriers, which will reduce per-unit freight costs and enable direct shipping connectivity worldwide.

Improved efficiency (faster vessel turnaround and better container dwell times) will cut logistics costs for exporters, especially in time-sensitive sectors like Ready-Made Garments (RMG). This will help Bangladeshi exporters compete more effectively globally.

The project is anticipated to create 500–700 direct, formal jobs plus several thousand indirect jobs across construction, trucking, and warehousing. APM Terminals will also upskill local engineers, technicians, and managers through in-house training on digital systems and global environmental standards.

As a marquee global operator, APM Terminals entering the sector validates Bangladesh's ability to structure complex PPPs in line with international best practices. Furthermore, the LCT will embed energy-efficient equipment and global climate practices, supporting Bangladesh’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) under the Paris Agreement.