Danish APM Terminals begins $550m Laldia project at Chattogram Port
Construction of the $550 million Laldia Container Terminal began at Chattogram Port on August 30, following a 30-year concession with Danish APM Terminals. The project was negotiated and approved under the interim government and is now moving into construction under the BNP government. It is expected to be completed within three years and begin operations in 2030.
In a Nutshell
- APM Terminals will invest about $550 million, making Laldia Bangladesh's largest European foreign investment, while Chattogram Port Authority will retain ownership.
- The terminal will add more than 800,000 TEUs of annual capacity and handle vessels carrying up to 6,000 TEUs.
- APM will operate the facility for 30 years, with a possible extension, before it is handed back to the port authority.
Context
Laldia was initially planned as a bulk terminal in 2013, when the government was looking to expand Chattogram Port's capacity. The plan never progressed as intended, partly because the proposed site was occupied by thousands of people and attempts to clear it faced resistance.
After the Chattogram Port Authority regained control of the land in 2021, the project was reworked to a container terminal rather than the original bulk facility. APM Terminals emerged as the foreign investor through the PPP process, proposing a greenfield terminal with its own investment and operating expertise.
In November 2025, the interim government approved the PPP and signed the concession agreement, with APM initially expected to begin construction that December. The project was therefore already secured before the BNP government took office, and has now officially started after years of setbacks and delays.
Why It Matters
Laldia is expected to increase Chattogram's container capacity by around 44% at the port that handles more than 98% of Bangladesh's container traffic. Larger vessel access, modern cranes and 24-hour operations could ease pressure on existing terminals and make cargo movement more predictable. The project is also expected to create 500 to 700 direct jobs and several thousand more in trucking, warehousing and related services, while APM's global operating experience could bring new technology and skills into Bangladesh's port sector.
What We Think
Laldia can strengthen Chattogram Port as trade volumes grow. Import containers have remained at the port for more than 11 days on average, while container vessels spent about 2.38 days at the port in FY2025–26; congestion has long added costs and uncertainty for importers and exporters.
The APM-operated terminal brings up to 900,000 TEUs of annual capacity, 24-hour operations and direct berthing for vessels carrying up to 6,000 TEUs. These facilities can ease pressure on existing terminals, support faster cargo movement, and reduce logistics costs, especially as larger vessels avoid some dependence on transhipment.