The New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) of Chittagong port finally went into full operation with the formal inauguration of container handling operation at its four berths on Saturday — eight years after completion of its construction. Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan along with other guests inaugurated container handling activities at berth Nos. 2, 3, 4 & 5 at a ceremony at NCT berth No. 2. Saif Powertec Limited has been assigned to operate the container handling activities. Addressing the inaugural ceremony as the chief guest, Minister Shajahan Khan said that putting NCT into full operation after overcoming all odds is a great success in the forward march of enhancing capability of Chittagong port. Chittagong port witnessed remarkable development with enhanced capacity and some 12 to 14 percent growth in handling operation due to sincere efforts by the Awami League government under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he said. To enhance capacity of the port further, Bay Terminal and the container terminal at Laldiar Char would also be set up, he added. Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) Mayor AJM Nasir Uddin, local lawmaker MA Latif, Shamsul Haqeu Chowdhury MP and Saif Powertec Limited Managing Director Tarafder Ruhul Amin addressed the inaugural ceremony as special guests with Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) Chairman Rear Admiral Nizamuddin Ahmed in the chair. Speakers at the ceremony said the delay in appointing operator at NCT due to obstructions by a vested interest group caused the port as well as the country to suffer huge loss. They called for shaking off negative approaches and narrowness in the greater interest of the port and the country. CPA Chairman Nizam Uddin said Chittagong port handled 18.5 lakh TEUs (20-foot equivalent units) container in the last fiscal year marking 12 percent to 14 percent growth in handling capacity. With sincere support of the government, CPA is developing the port further with enhanced capacity to get prepared for handling increasing volume of cargos of garment sector that targets export of US$ 50 billion by 2021 and transit cargoes of neighbouring countries, he added. Developed over 32 acres of land with a 980-metre terminal, NCT would be able to give berthing to five large vessels at a time. It has the capacity for handling 12 lakh TEUs containers a year, said the CPA chairman. CPA would procure 10 gantry cranes and other equipment for the port soon, he said. Mentionable, the construction of NCT started in 2004. The construction involving Tk 468.90 crore was completed in December 2007. Later, two backyard spaces were developed behind its two jetties at the cost of Tk 98 lakh.
