Bangladesh plans 15-year DP World port deal amid shutdown threat

Bangladesh is set to sign a 15-year concession agreement with Dubai-based DP World on Oct. 8 to operate and maintain Chattogram Port’s New Mooring Container Terminal and its Overflow Container Yard, despite workers’ threats to shut down port operations.

The signing is scheduled for 3 p.m. in Dhaka, according to an invitation issued by Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates.

A cabinet committee approved the draft agreement in principle Oct. 1, advancing efforts to bring an international operator into the port’s busiest container terminal.

The terminal handled about 44% of the port’s container volume in 2025, according to port data.

Workers opposing foreign operators have demanded government talks before signing. Protest coordinator Ibrahim Khokon warned that a shutdown would extend to vessel operations at Kutubdia outer anchorage.