Saudi Arabia-based global port operator Red Sea Gateway Terminal (RSGT) has announced plans to invest up to $1 billion in Bangladesh’s port sector, building on its successful operation of the Patenga Container Terminal (PCT), the country’s first foreign-managed container terminal.
The announcement came on Saturday as four state-of-the-art quay gantry cranes, procured at a cost of around $30 million, began unloading at the Patenga Container Terminal. The cranes arrived from China on June 19 and are currently undergoing unloading, commissioning and technical testing before being put into operation.
On 20 June speaking on the occasion, Syed Aref Sarwar, Head of Commercial & Public Affairs at RSGT Chittagong, said the company views Bangladesh as a strategic market with significant growth potential.
“Patenga Container Terminal is RSGT’s first investment in Bangladesh. Based on the success of this project, we are planning further investments of up to $1 billion in the country’s port sector whenever opportunities arise,” he said.
The arrival of the four ship-to-shore (STS) also known quay gantry cranes marks the completion of RSGT’s equipment deployment programme). Container handling operations using the new cranes are expected to begin gradually from mid-July.
Currently, containers at PCT are handled using vessel-mounted cranes, allowing an average productivity of 15-16 moves per hour. With the deployment of the new quay cranes, terminal productivity is expected to increase to 23-24 moves per hour initially, with further improvements planned in the future.
According to RSGT officials, the company has already brought in all major equipment required for full-scale terminal operations. In addition to the four quay gantry cranes, the terminal has received 14 rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes, 10 empty handlers and reach stackers, and around 60 units of ground support equipment.
“The equipment has been deployed in line with the yard’s operational requirements and capacity. Our goal is to transform PCT into a modern, high-capacity container terminal through advanced technology and efficient operational management,” said Sarwar.
Industry stakeholders believe the addition of the new cranes will significantly improve container handling efficiency, reduce vessel turnaround time, and enhance the overall competitiveness of Chattogram Port.
RSGT has already completed its entire $170 million investment commitment under a 22-year concession agreement signed with the CPA. The company took over terminal operations on June 10, 2024, and was required to install all necessary equipment by June 2026. According to the operator, 100 percent of the equipment has been delivered within the agreed timeframe.
Built by the CPA at a cost of approximately Tk 1,230 crore, the Patenga Container Terminal consists of three dedicated container berths. While the terminal was physically completed in June 2022, commercial operations formally commenced in June 2024 under RSGT’s management.
According to RSGT sources, the newly installed equipment has created an annual handling capacity of around 800,000 TEUs at the terminal. However, considering the current yard and storage capacity, the operator has set an initial target of handling approximately 500,000 TEUs annually.
According to company data, a total of 117 vessels have called at the terminal since operations began under RSGT management, while approximately 351,000 TEUs of containers have been handled as of June 18, 2026.
