The Ministry of Shipping has instructed the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) to initiate the process of appointing the Saudi Arabia-based Red Sea Gateway Terminal (RSGT) as the operator of the Chattogram Container Terminal (CCT). The directive was issued on September 28, shortly after the government granted in-principle approval for a 15-year draft concession agreement allowing an international operator to manage the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) and Overflow Container Yard (OCY) under a public-private partnership (PPP) model.
According to a letter from the ministry to the chairman of the Invest Bangladesh Authority, RSGT has expressed interest in implementing two CPA projects under the PPP framework: the CCT and the General Cargo Berths (GCB). While the letter confirms the appointment process has begun, it does not provide details on the concession’s tenure, financial terms, or specific investment commitments. These aspects are expected to be negotiated and finalized during subsequent PPP and concession arrangements.
The move follows a competitive selection process among several international and local contenders. Proposals to operate the CCT were submitted earlier this year by Dubai-based DP World and Saudi-based RSGT, as well as by local conglomerate MGH Group. RSGT has previously expressed a willingness to invest approximately $1 billion if awarded the opportunity to operate both the CCT and GCB facilities.
Strategically located between the NCT and GCB, the CCT handled around 16% of Chattogram Port’s container throughput in 2025, according to port data. During the same period, the NCT, which is the port’s largest container terminal, accounted for about 44% of the container volume, while the GCB contributed approximately 36%. The Patenga Container Terminal, also operated by RSGT under a 22-year concession awarded in 2024, accounted for the remaining 4%.
The government is advancing plans for foreign operation of the NCT and OCY, with DP World, nominated by the United Arab Emirates government, identified as the proposed operator for those facilities. The appointment of RSGT for the CCT complements this broader strategy of involving international operators in key port terminals. This follows previous initiatives where Denmark-based APM Terminals was awarded the greenfield Ladia Container Terminal development and operation under a long-term PPP concession.
The involvement of foreign operators at Chattogram Port aligns with the government's efforts to improve the efficiency and capacity of the country's principal seaport through strategic partnerships, although financial and operational details for the upcoming agreements remain to be finalized.