Dhaka, May 23 -- In December, the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) opted to extend its deal with Saif Powertec Limited, allowing the company to operate its New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) under direct procurement, as the process of floating an open tender to this end is facing delays.

The agreement with the firm expired on January 7.

The CPA had earlier decided to float an open tender to appoint a new operator for the NCT for an interim period until a foreign operator is appointed under public private partnership and government-to-government basis.

The CPA also sent a proposal to the shipping ministry to amend some clauses in a previously issued statutory regulatory order that recognised Saif Powertec as the only firm competent eno...