Bangladesh’s Ministry of Shipping has directed the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) to begin the process of appointing Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Gateway Terminal (RSGT) as the operator of the Chattogram Container Terminal (CCT).
The directive, dated September 28, follows the government’s in-principle approval for a 15-year concession to an international operator for the operation and maintenance of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) and Overflow Container Yard (OCY).
Ministry directs process for RSGT appointment
In a letter signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Farzana Hossain, the Ministry of Shipping asked the chairman of the Invest Bangladesh Authority to process the appointment letter for RSGT as the CCT operator.
The move would give RSGT management responsibilities at another major terminal at Bangladesh’s principal seaport. RSGT and DP World had previously been identified as contenders for the CCT.
NCT concession receives government approval
Bangladesh’s Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the draft 15-year concession agreement for the NCT submitted by the Shipping Ministry.
The approval did not identify the foreign operator, while the CPA and Invest Bangladesh Authority have not indicated when the concession agreement will be signed.
The proposed handover has faced opposition from groups including the Chattogram Bandar Rokkha Songram Parishad, a pro-ruling party workers’ platform that has opposed the move.
The NCT handled approximately 44% of Chattogram Port’s container volume in the previous year, making it the port’s largest container facility.
RSGT already operates Patenga terminal
RSGT already operates the former Patenga Container Terminal, now known as the Red-Sea Gateway Terminal, under a 22-year concession. Operations began in June 2024.
In 2025, the terminal handled 78 vessels and 154,564 TEUs. RSGT’s flagship operation is at Jeddah Islamic Port, where it operates Saudi Arabia’s largest terminal.
Foreign operators expand presence at Chattogram
The developments are increasing the role of international terminal operators at Chattogram, Bangladesh’s principal seaport, which handles around 90% of the country’s seaborne import and export cargo.
APM Terminals, part of the A.P. Moller-Maersk group, began construction of the Laldia Container Terminal by the end of August 2026.
If the NCT concession is concluded as planned and RSGT’s appointment at CCT proceeds, the Saudi operator would have a significant presence across multiple container-handling facilities at Chattogram.
