The arrival of four state-of-the-art quay gantry cranes at Patenga Container Terminal (PCT) is set to mark a major milestone in Bangladesh’s port modernization efforts, as the terminal reaches its full operational capacity under the management of Saudi-based Red Sea Gateway Terminal (RSGT).
According to Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) officials, the specialized heavy-lift vessel MV Lan Hai Hong Yun, carrying four quay gantry cranes, is scheduled to berth at Patenga Container Terminal on Friday evening.
Data from vessel-tracking platform MarineTraffic shows that the ship departed from Zhuhai Port in China and is expected to arrive at PCT on 19 June.
Head of Commercial and Public Relations at RSGT Chattogram Syed Aref Sarwar told TIMES of Bangladesh that the arrival of the four quay cranes will enable the terminal to achieve 100 percent equipment capacity as outlined in the operator’s investment plan.
RSGT Chattogram official said that the arrival of these Ship-to-Shore cranes marks a significant milestone in the modernisation of Bangladesh’s port infrastructure and completes the terminal’s planned equipment deployment.
The expected arrival of the vessel was confirmed in an urgent navigational notice issued by the Maritime Department of the Chattogram Port Authority on 18 June. The notice, signed by Deputy Conservator Capt. Zahirul Islam, stated that the vessel carrying the oversized cargo would berth at PCT for unloading operations under strict safety measures.
To prevent maritime accidents and ensure navigational safety in the Karnaphuli Channel, the port authority has placed all vessels operating near the terminal on maximum alert during the unloading process.
Commercial ships, coastal vessels, tankers, and fishing trawlers have been instructed to maintain heightened vigilance and keep a minimum distance of 100 metres from the PCT jetty along the eastern bank of the channel while crane discharge operations are underway.
PCT is the first terminal in the history of Chattogram Port to be operated by a foreign terminal operator. Under a 22-year concession agreement signed with the government, Jeddah-based RSGT committed to investing approximately US$170 million to modernize and equip the terminal.
The company has already deployed 14 Rubber-Tyred Gantry (RTG) cranes, which are currently in operation. The arrival of the four quay gantry cranes completes the terminal’s equipment installation programme within the agreed timeframe.
Under the concession agreement, all required terminal equipment was to be installed by June 2026 to facilitate full-scale operations from July. RSGT has successfully completed 100 percent of the equipment procurement and deployment programme within the stipulated deadline, paving the way for the terminal’s full operationalisation.
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.
Industry stakeholders believe the addition of the cranes will significantly enhance container handling efficiency, reduce vessel turnaround time, and strengthen Bangladesh’s maritime trade competitiveness.
Constructed by the Chattogram Port Authority with an investment of approximately Tk1,230 crore, Patenga Container Terminal features three dedicated container berths and has an annual handling capacity of around 500,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units).
Although construction of the terminal was completed in June 2022, commercial operations officially commenced on June 10, 2024, following the takeover by RSGT.
