An important chapter has been written in the history of port infrastructure development in Bangladesh. Denmark-based APM Terminals – a wholly owned subsidiary of A.P. Moller-Maersk Group – has confirmed an investment of $550 million for the implementation of the Laldia Container Terminal at Chittagong Port. This is the largest European Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the country and one of the largest Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects.
A formal ceremony was organized by the Chittagong Port Authority to present the Letter of Award to APM Terminals and local partner QNS Container Services Limited at the Intercontinental Hotel in Dhaka on Monday (November 17, 2025) and to inaugurate the project. The event, jointly organized by the PPP Authority, APM Terminals and the Chittagong Port Authority, was attended by top-level guests from Bangladesh and Denmark.
The world-renowned A.P. Mr. Robert Maersk Ugla, Chairman of the Moller-Maersk Group, and the State Secretary for Trade and Investment at the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Lina Gundlosse Hansen, arrived in Bangladesh to participate in this historic event.
The project will be implemented under a 30-year concession agreement with full private capital investment—with no debt burden for the government. As planned, it will be built, financed and operated entirely by private partners.
The Danish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Lars Lokke Rasmussen, said in a virtual message: “Maersk’s partnership with Bangladesh is long-standing and one of the main drivers of the strong trade relations between our two countries. Maersk currently handles approximately 30% of all containers in and out of Bangladesh. This investment by Maersk-APM Terminals in the Laldia Container Terminal is a strong symbol of a real and sustainable partnership, which is an expression of deep confidence in the future of Bangladesh.”
Keith Svendsen, CEO of APM Terminals, said, “Through this greenfield project, we will be able to play an active supporting role in the activities of local manufacturers, exporters and importers. At the same time, it will be possible to build the foundation for future prosperity by creating a skilled workforce.”
Rear Admiral S. M. Moniruzzaman, Chairman of Chittagong Port Authority, said, “We need to increase our maximum efficiency and capacity right now. As Chittagong is a river and feeder port, the logistics (vehicle) costs are very high. To be competitive, we need infrastructure that allows us to reach the market quickly. This terminal will help in achieving that goal.”
Honorable Advisor to the Ministry of Shipping, Brigadier General (Retd) Dr. M Sakhawat Hossain said,
“For a long time, infrastructural limitations and complexities have acted as obstacles to the potential of Chittagong Port. The construction of Laldia Terminal will create opportunities to berth large ships and make port services more reliable for exporters. The arrival of an experienced operator like Maersk will help in solving our daily problems in a practical way.”
PPP Authority Chief Executive Officer (State Minister’s rank) Mr. Ashiq Chowdhury said,
“This project proves that PPP in Bangladesh is now not just on paper but in reality. We are going to get a world-class terminal and port, and the government did not have to take any loan for this. Once the Laldia Terminal is operational, the cargo handling capacity of Chittagong Port will increase by up to 44%. Such projects create both credibility and self-confidence among our investors.”
Also present at the event were Mr. Lutfe Siddiqui, Special Envoy of the Chief Advisor on International Affairs, Mr. Md. Towhid Hossain, Advisor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and high-ranking representatives of the government and private sectors.
