Laldia Container Terminal at Chattogram Port: $550M APM Terminals Project Starts August 30

Dhaka, August 13, 2026 — Construction of the long-awaited Laldia Container Terminal at Chattogram port is set to move forward, with the government scheduled to lay the foundation stone for the $550 million project on August 30 in partnership with Denmark-based APM Terminals. Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam announced the timeline after meeting an APM Terminals delegation in Dhaka, signalling the formal launch of one of the most consequential port infrastructure investments in Bangladesh's recent history.

📊 Project Snapshot

The Laldia Container Terminal represents a major capacity expansion for Chattogram port — Bangladesh's principal seaport handling over 90 percent of the country's external trade by volume. Key project parameters:

• 💰 $550 million investment — approximately Tk 6,700 crore
• 🇩🇰 Developer: APM Terminals (subsidiary of AP Moller-Maersk Group, Denmark)
• 🤝 Model: Public-Private Partnership (PPP)
• 📅 Foundation stone: August 30, 2026
• ⏳ Construction timeline: 3 years
• 🚢 Operational: 2029
• 💸 Funding: Full foreign direct investment by APM Terminals

The project will be developed as a modern, environmentally friendly “green terminal” using advanced technology — including remotely operated cranes — to improve both efficiency and safety. The design philosophy aligns with the broader global trend toward automated, low-emission port infrastructure.

🏛️ Why Laldia Matters for Bangladesh's Export Economy

Chattogram port is the single most critical logistics node in Bangladesh's export supply chain — handling the vast majority of containerised exports, including ready-made garments, leather, pharmaceuticals, jute, and agro-products. The port has struggled with chronic capacity constraints for years, leading to:

• ⏳ Vessel waiting times — often 3-5 days at anchorage before berthing
• 📦 Container dwell times — averaging 4-7 days vs the regional benchmark of 2-3 days
• 💰 Higher logistics costs — estimated 30-40 percent above regional peers
• 🚧 Congestion during peak seasons — especially RMG pre-Christmas and pre-Eid rushes
• 🌐 Competitive disadvantage — versus Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and other regional exporters

The Laldia terminal, once operational in 2029, is expected to materially expand Chattogram's container-handling capacity — easing vessel queues, reducing dwell times, and lowering logistics costs across the entire export supply chain.

🇩🇰 The APM Terminals Partnership

APM Terminals, the port operating arm of the AP Moller-Maersk Group, brings world-class expertise in terminal design, automation, and operations. The company operates 75+ terminals across 60+ countries, making it one of the largest terminal operators globally. The Laldia partnership delivers several strategic benefits:

• 💰 Full FDI financing — $550 million in fresh foreign direct investment, no government capital outlay
• 🧵 Operational expertise — Maersk's global best practices in terminal management
• 💻 Technology transfer — remotely operated cranes, automated gate systems, digital tracking
• 🟢 Green terminal design — aligns with global ESG standards sought by Western buyers
• 🌐 Brand credibility — Maersk association reassures international shipping lines

The choice of APM Terminals also signals a deliberate shift in Bangladesh's port strategy — moving from fully government-operated facilities toward mixed public-private models that leverage global operator expertise.

🚢 Shipping Minister's Strategic Pitch

Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam framed the Laldia project within a broader port modernisation agenda, telling the APM Terminals delegation that the new terminal would significantly increase Chattogram port's container-handling capacity and help strengthen Bangladesh's trade competitiveness. He emphasised the multi-dimensional benefits:

• 👥 Job creation — direct employment at the terminal plus indirect logistics jobs
• 💰 Trade boost — faster cargo clearance supports export growth
• 🏛️ National economy — reduced logistics costs ripple across all sectors
• 🟢 Green infrastructure — modern, environmentally friendly design

Rabiul sought cooperation from the Danish government and investors in developing Bangladesh's port infrastructure more broadly, stressing that the country offers a favourable investment environment and significant opportunities in the sector. He also emphasised the need to modernise port infrastructure to keep pace with economic growth and rising trade — calling for greater use of international expertise and modern technology.

💼 Stakeholder Meeting Attendees

The high-level meeting was attended by:

• 🏛️ Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam — chief host
• 👥 APM Terminals delegation — the developer-investor side
• 🏢 Shipping Ministry Secretary Zakaria — senior ministry official
• 🚢 Chairman, Chattogram Port Authority — the project's operating partner
• 👥 Senior ministry officials — supporting inter-agency coordination

The discussions covered investment and cooperation in Bangladesh's port sector broadly — including the use of modern technology, management expertise, and international experience at the Laldia terminal. The breadth of attendees signals the project's strategic importance within the government's infrastructure agenda.

🌏 Strategic Context: Bangladesh's Port Modernisation Push

The Laldia project is the latest in a series of port infrastructure upgrades aimed at transforming Bangladesh's logistics competitiveness. Other recent and ongoing initiatives include:

• 🚢 Matarbari deep-sea port — under development to handle larger vessels
• 🏛️ Chattogram Customs House ICD — new specialised commissionerate for faster cargo clearance
• 👥 Joint CPA-customs committee — Finance Minister Khosru's initiative to break inter-agency bottlenecks
• 🚢 Padma Bridge connectivity — opening new southwest Bangladesh logistics corridors
• 💻 Port digitalisation — ASYCUDA World and paperless customs modernisation

For an export economy preparing for LDC graduation in November 2026 and urgently defending market share in RMG, pharmaceuticals, and agro-products, every dollar invested in port capacity directly translates into preserved export competitiveness. The Laldia terminal — backed by Maersk capital and expertise — represents one of the most significant single commitments to that competitiveness agenda in the past decade.