RSGT opens Bangladesh container terminal

The US$170 million project is Bangladesh’s first international port concession and the country’s first private terminal concession delivered under a government-to-government public-private partnership agreement with Saudi Arabia.

The 22-year concession, awarded in 2023, extends the operational expertise of RSGT, Saudi Arabia’s largest container terminal, to one of South Asia’s busiest trade gateways.

“RSGT Bangladesh is a proud demonstration of Saudi capability and vision extending far beyond our borders,” said Lars Vang Christensen, group chief executive of RSGT.

“It reflects the ambition, commitment and world-class standards that define RSGT, and we are proud to transfer and employ Saudi expertise and knowledge to support Bangladesh’s primary trade gateway. This is only the beginning of our journey as a leading emerging-markets port operator.”

Since taking over operations, RSGTI has transformed the terminal into a technologically advanced container facility, increasing annual capacity from 250,000 to 600,000 teu. The introduction of four modern ship-to-shore cranes has also improved productivity by around 30% compared with other regional terminals.

The modern facility features 580 metres of quay, more than 200,000 square metres of yard space and a 9.5-metre draft, enabling shorter sailing distances and guaranteed vessel windows. It can accommodate three vessels simultaneously and is capable of handling the largest geared and gearless container ships calling at Chittagong.

Building on the project’s success, RSGTI has also expressed interest in investing a further US$1 billion in Bangladesh’s maritime sector, underlining its long-term commitment to expanding trade connectivity and supporting economic growth across the region.