Govt to decide on container terminal soon: minister

The government will soon decide on how the New Mooring Container Terminal will be operated, Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan said yesterday.
The shipping ministry had earlier decided to run the terminal by a private operator after procuring equipment with the port fund, Khan said.
Later, the decision was cancelled due to opposition from different corners, said Khan, also the chairman of the Chittagong port advisory committee.
He spoke to reporters after the eighth meeting of the committee at Shaheed Md Fazlur Rahman Munshi auditorium of Chittagong Port Authority (CPA).
Steps will be taken soon to resume the capital dredging of Karnaphuli river, Khan said.
The committee also took decisions on different charges, including container demurrage charge collected by the shipping companies and wharf rents collected by the CPA.
The meeting also discussed efforts to check thefts at the port yard.
Water Resources Minister Anisul Islam Mahmud, Chittagong City Mayor M Manjur Alam and Shipping Secretary Syed Monjurul Islam were also present.