Shortest possible construction time and use of modern equipment for an output of international standard should be the prime criteria for selecting a private entity to build a multipurpose terminal in Laldia, Patenga.

This is to ease the pressure on the Chittagong port which is already facing vessel and container congestion, both of which are continually increasing.

The suggestion came from users of the Chittagong port at a views-exchange meeting organised yesterday by the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) to frame terms and conditions to get the terminal constructed and run for 25 years before taking it over.

This is the port's first public-private partnership project, approved by the cabinet committee on economic affairs in March 2013.  The terminal will have four jetties, two for container vessels and two for bulk cargo carriers, and is estimated to cost about $301.60 million. Five qualifying international firms have been shortlisted from six that vied to take up the project.

The five are Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (India), Bolloré SA (France), China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd, DP World FZE (United Arab Emirates) and Global Ports Services Ltd (Singapore).

Speaking at the meeting, MA Latif, a lawmaker and also a member of the parliamentary standing committee on shipping, underscored the need for making the operator accountable for terminal activities.

Former CPA member Hadi Hossain Babul said the CPA would have to fix tariffs, conduct dredging, allot vessels, ensure security and control the movement of ships.

Khairul Mostafa, a former chief engineer of the CPA, suggested keeping provision for compensation if the construction deadline was not met. He proposed including performance indicators such as vessel turnaround time and container handling rate.

Ahsanul Hoque Chowdhury, chairman of the Bangladesh Shipping Agent Association, stressed the need for fixing a timeframe for quick construction.

Kharul Alam Sujan, director of the Bangladesh Freight Forward Association, said unloaded containers could be sent to a bonded warehouse nearby on dedicated roads and trains to avoid traffic congestion in the city.

CPA Chairman M Khaled Iqbal chaired the meeting.