Chittagong Port’s New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT), Laldiar Char, and Dhaka’s Pangaon terminal are set to be handed over to foreign operators by December, according to Mohammad Yusuf, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping. The move aims to enhance port capacity, improve efficiency, and attract foreign investment. Yusuf noted that while strategic and geographical concerns exist, similar operations have succeeded in ports across India, Sri Lanka, and other countries. The decision comes despite some opposition from local business communities. Yusuf emphasized that foreign operators will help streamline operations, reduce delays, and lower damages caused by congestion. Experts also highlighted the potential for the country’s shipbuilding industry to expand, leveraging global trade opportunities, and transforming it into a billion-dollar sector, supported by efficient delivery systems and tailored banking solutions.