Bangladesh has signed a concession agreement for the development of the Laldia Container Terminal in Chattogram, marking one of the country’s largest Public-Private Partnership investments with a value exceeding USD 550 million. The agreement was concluded between the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA), APM Terminals – part of A. P. Moller-Maersk – and local partner QNS Container Services Ltd. Under the concession, APM Terminals will design, finance, build and operate the terminal for 30 years, with possible extensions linked to key performance indicators.
The project represents Bangladesh’s first port infrastructure development to be delivered entirely through private-sector financing. The terminal is scheduled to begin operations in 2030.
Keith Svendsen, CEO of APM Terminals, said the agreement highlighted the growth potential of Bangladesh’s trade sector and would support manufacturers, exporters and importers through improved capacity and efficiency.
The initiative forms part of the Sustainable Green Framework Engagement between Denmark and Bangladesh, which aims to advance green investment, job creation and long-term economic cooperation. Honourable Chief Adviser of the Government of Bangladesh, Professor Muhammad Yunus, said the terminal demonstrated the country’s commitment to reform, transparency and investment-friendly development. He noted that it would be Bangladesh’s first green port and the largest European foreign direct investment in the country, adding that it would unlock capacity for exporters and improve competitiveness.
Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Denmark’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, said the investment reflected strong commercial ties between Bangladesh and Danish companies, and demonstrated continued confidence in Bangladesh’s economic prospects. Rear Admiral S. M. Moniruzzaman, Chairman of the Chittagong Port Authority, said the terminal would significantly increase the port’s capacity and efficiency, strengthening national trade flows. Nurul Qayyum Khan, Chairman of QNS Container Services Ltd., said the project would introduce modern standards to Bangladesh’s port infrastructure and support more efficient supply chains for exporters and importers.
Once operational, the facility is expected to expand Bangladesh’s annual handling capacity by more than 800,000 TEUs and enable Chattogram to accommodate vessels of up to 6,000 TEU, compared with the current limit of 2,800 TEU. The development is expected to reduce congestion, lower logistics costs and enhance connectivity for key export sectors including textiles, apparel and manufacturing.
The terminal is projected to create over 1,000 jobs during construction and more than 500 positions once in operation, with additional indirect employment across logistics, manufacturing and services. APM Terminals plans to introduce training and apprenticeship programmes to support workforce development.
Laldia Container Terminal will be built to internationally recognised safety and environmental standards, with an ambition to become one of South Asia’s first energy-efficient and low-emission terminals. Planned features include electrified cargo handling equipment, solar installations on terminal structures and shore power-ready systems to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, noise and air pollution.
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