Saudi port developer Red Sea Gateway Terminal (RSGT) is preparing to begin full‑capacity operations at Bangladesh’s largest seaport in Chittagong this July, after completing the deployment of its final set of specialised machinery.
The move marks a significant milestone for the Patenga Container Terminal, which RSGT has operated since June 2024 under a 22‑year agreement with the Chittagong Port Authority.
Chittagong Port the main maritime gateway for Bangladesh handled 3.41 million TEU last year, making it the busiest container hub on the Bay of Bengal. RSGT’s expansion is expected to boost efficiency at a time when Bangladesh’s trade volumes continue to rise.
On Friday, the company delivered four custom‑built gantry cranes, the last major equipment needed to scale up operations. “We were given two years of preparation time to equip the port facilities, complete all civil works, implement technology and develop human resources,” said Sayed Aref Sarwar, head of commercial and public affairs at RSGT Bangladesh.
“The last two years were our soft operation period at the Patenga Container Terminal. Now, with the arrival of four gantry cranes, the final phase of equipment requirements has been completed.”
Manufactured by Chinese company SANY, the cranes are designed to dramatically improve vessel‑handling capacity. They can lift two 20‑foot containers simultaneously and operate with zero carbon emissions, running entirely on electrical power.
“Hopefully, we will start operating the new gantry cranes by mid‑July. From that moment, we will run the port at full capacity,” Sarwar said, adding that further expansion could be considered if container volumes increase. For now, he believes the current setup is “more than sufficient” to meet demand.
RSGT is the first foreign operator to run a Bangladeshi port terminal, and its presence has steadily increased output and expanded the permanent workforce at Patenga.
The full‑capacity launch is expected to strengthen Bangladesh’s maritime infrastructure and enhance its competitiveness in regional trade.
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