DHAKA, Nov 16, 2025 (BSS) - Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Authority, today emphatically confirmed that Bangladesh will retain absolute ownership of the Laldia Container Terminal at Chattogram Port.   "Port ownership absolutely remains with Bangladesh. Bangladesh will own the new world-class terminal. APM Terminals will manage the terminal for a 30-year specified period after construction, likened to a driver managing a car that remains the owner's property," he said at his Facebook post while replying several questions. The Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) is going to sign a concession agreement tomorrow for 30 years of operations plus an extension tied to KPIs with APM Terminals BV, a wholly owned subsidiary of Maersk A/S (Maersk Group)-one of the world's leading integrated logistics companies, majority-controlled by the AP Moller Foundation of Denmark. The signing ceremony will be held at the Intercontinental Hotel in the city. Responding to a question, Ashik Chowdhury said that the Laldia Container Terminal will be designed and constructed entirely by APM Terminals using its own financing.   "The company will invest Taka 250 crore as signing money, in addition to the approximate Taka 6,700 crore during the three-year construction phase," he added.   He said that APM will pay a specific fee for every container handled, ensuring that higher volume translates to greater income for Bangladesh.  "A provision is included to protect national interest requiring APM to provide a minimum guaranteed volume payment even if they fail to meet volume targets," he added. He noted that the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) will remain the regulator of the terminal.   He described that a 30-year contract term is considered mid-range within the PPP framework, comparable to contracts in India (60 years), and China and Vietnam (50 years). He clarified that the Laldia project avoids the path of Sri Lanka's Hambantota port, which surrendered a controlling equity stake after failing to repay Chinese debt. The Laldia Terminal is state-owned and fully funded by APM's investment, not a loan, thereby ensuring a sustainable and transparent economic structure, he added.   The PPP Authority CEO, however, said the urgent need for a global operator due to existing challenges, primarily citing corruption and long waiting times at Bangladesh's ports. "Currently, Chattogram Port is ranked 334th out of 405 ports globally. The goal is to utilize efficient processes and new technology, hoping to achieve a corruption-free port similar to advances seen in competitor nations like Vietnam," he added.   He mentioned that the selection of Denmark's APM Terminals was justified based on its global track record, as it currently operates more than 60 terminals in 33 countries and manages 10 of the world's top 20 ports. He confirmed that the management structure is under the government's direct supervision and final control, and existing security protocols for relevant agencies (Navy, Customs, etc.) remain in force.    All technology must comply with government-approved standards for data localization and cybersecurity, he added.   Regarding contract Transparency, he said, while the full contract document is not being released due to legal limitations-including government procurement policy, confidentiality clauses, and advice from organizations like the World Bank and ADB-crucial information regarding ownership and revenue structure has been made public via press briefings. Ashik Chowdhury said that the project is anticipated to yield major economic benefits, serving the dual purpose of creating new capacity and removing existing bottlenecks.   He said the terminal will add an additional 800,000 TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) handling capacity annually, representing about 44% more than the current capacity. "Import and export processes are expected to be faster, decreasing the cost of goods transportation per unit. The port will also be able to accommodate container ships twice as large, allowing for direct vessel connections with distant global countries," he added.   He said the project is expected to create 500-700 direct local jobs during operation and construction, with over a thousand indirect jobs in logistics and the supply chain.   Additionally, local engineers and managers will receive world-class training, facilitating technology and skill transfer via sophisticated operational systems, he added. The Laldia terminal is projected to be the country's first environmentally friendly Green Port.