Rejoinder--

The Chittagong Port Authority has issued a rejoinder to a news item published in The Financial Express on Friday.

The news carried on Page 8 was titled 'CPA plans Saif Powertec tenure extension.'

In the rejoinder issued on Saturday, the CPA says, "The attention of the Chittagong Port Authority has been drawn to the news published in The Financial Express dated 20-06-2025 under the headline as 'CPA plans Saif Powertec tenure extension' for operating the New Mooring Container terminal.

"The news item is not authentic and doesn't reflect the facts. As per your newspaper's report, no new decision has been taken regarding DPM (Direct Procurement Method) for operation of the NCT.

"The NCT of Chittagong Port is currently being operated by a private operator named Saif Powertec Limited. The agreement between the  Chattogram Port Authority and this company for operating the NCT is set to expire on July 6, 2025. A meeting was held at the Ministry of Shipping on June 18, 2025, to discuss the operation of the NCT after expiry of the agreement. In that meeting, the Chittagong Port Authority was instructed to take necessary preparatory steps regarding management of the NCT. The Port Authority has since been actively taking required measures. As such, the NCT will be operated as per order of the government."

The FE regrets the unintentional mistake.