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Red Sea Gateway Terminal (RSGT) Bangladesh has set a new productivity record for vessel handling at Chattogram Port’s Patenga Container Terminal (PCT).
On September 10, the Saudi-backed terminal operator reached a peak handling rate of 58 containers (82 TEUs) per hour while servicing the CMA-CGM vessel MV Wanen. This performance nearly doubles Chattogram Port’s historical benchmark, which typically averages roughly 30 container moves (48 TEUs) per hour.
The achievement was enabled by newly commissioned Ship-to-Shore (STS) gantry cranes, marking the terminal’s first operation involving a gearless vessel—a ship that lacks onboard cranes and relies entirely on shore-based handling equipment. Prior to installing four advanced STS cranes, operations at the facility depended on ship-mounted gear.
Company officials attributed the milestone to a combination of modern equipment, global operational standards, updated management techniques, and a skilled workforce. The performance boost is expected to reduce vessel turnaround times, optimize jetty utilization, lower shipping expenses, and strengthen Bangladesh’s broader maritime supply chain.
”Achieving a rate of 58 moves—or 82 TEUs—per hour is not just a standard productivity milestone; it underscores the vast potential of modern port management in Bangladesh,” said Erwin Haaze, chief executive officer of RSGT Bangladesh. He added that the company remains committed to raising operational standards and delivering safe, reliable services.
In June 2024, the Patenga Container Terminal became the first Bangladeshi port facility handed over to a foreign operator under a long-term public-private partnership (PPP) model. Despite initial capacity constraints during the early operational phase, recent equipment upgrades have significantly raised throughput speeds at the facility, which maintains an annual capacity of approximately 450,000 TEUs. RSGT Bangladesh plans to continue investing in technology, infrastructure, and staff training to position the terminal as a competitive gateway in international trade.
