APM Terminals breaks ground for Laldia

APM Terminals has officially broken ground on its new Laldia Container Terminal in Chattogram, launching construction of a US$550 million project described as one of Bangladesh’s largest public-private partnership investments.

The terminal is being developed with the Chittagong Port Authority and local partner QNS Container Services under a landmark Bangladesh-Denmark government-to-government partnership.

“Breaking ground at Laldia is a promise turning into reality,” said Romesh David, chief executive of APM Terminals Laldia.

“We are building far more than a terminal by giving Bangladesh’s exporters deeper water, bigger ships, cleaner operations and a genuinely world-class gateway, while the asset stays firmly in Bangladeshi hands.

“This is what a true partnership between two nations looks like: Danish expertise and investment, Bangladeshi ambition, and a shared commitment to decarbonised, future-ready trade.”

Once operational in 2030, APM Terminals Laldia will add more than 800,000 teu of annual container-handling capacity and enable Chattogram Port to accommodate vessels of up to 6,000 teu, more than double the current limit of around 2,800 teu. The project is expected to improve cargo efficiency, reduce congestion and lower logistics costs for Bangladesh’s export-driven economy.

The terminal will be fully designed, financed, built and operated by APM Terminals and its partners, while ownership of the port asset remains with Bangladesh.

The project is expected to generate more than 1,000 construction jobs and over 500 operational positions, supported by training and apprenticeship programmes. Electrified cargo-handling equipment, solar power installations and shore-power-ready systems will help establish the facility as one of Bangladesh’s first energy-efficient, low-emission terminals.

Government officials said the development will strengthen Chattogram’s role as a regional logistics hub and support Bangladesh’s ambitions for greater international trade, investment and sustainable economic growth.