Red Sea Gateway Terminal (RSGT) Bangladesh has set a new record for productivity in ship handling at the Patenga Container Terminal (PCT) of Chittagong Port. The Saudi Arabia-based company recently recorded the highest handling of 58 containers (82 TEUs) per hour using a ship-to-shore (STS) crane on a CMA-CGM vessel named MV Wanen.

This productivity was achieved while loading and unloading containers using the newly introduced ship-to-shore (STS) crane on the gearless vessel 'MV Onen' at Patenga Terminal for the first time on September 10, RSGT Bangladesh said.

RSGT Bangladesh claims that the average container handling at Chittagong Port is around 30 containers (48 TEU) per hour. This new productivity is almost double the current average. The terminal has also officially operated gearless ships for the first time through the use of new state-of-the-art equipment.

Officials of the company say that this productivity has been achieved through a combination of advanced technology equipment, international terminal management experience, modern management methods and skilled manpower. As a result, in addition to reducing the time spent by ships at the port, the efficiency of jetty use and ship-related costs can also be reduced. At the same time, the overall efficiency of the country's maritime supply system will increase. They will continue to invest in modern infrastructure, technology, management skills and manpower development to transform Patenga Container Terminal into a more efficient, competitive and global maritime gateway connected to the shipping trade.

In a statement, RSGT Bangladesh Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Erwin Haje said, "This achievement of achieving 58 moves or 82 TEUs per hour is not just a simple achievement of productivity; it highlights the immense potential of modern port management in Bangladesh."

He further said that this milestone has been achieved through the combined efforts of world-class technology, international experience, disciplined management methods, and a skilled workforce.

"We are committed to continuously improving our operational standards and continuing to provide safe, efficient and reliable services to our customers and partners," said Haje.

The Red Sea Gateway Terminal or RSGT Chittagong (formerly known as Patenga Container Terminal) at Chittagong Port has expanded its service coverage with the increase in its fleet capacity, the Saudi company responsible for its management said. In June 2024, the terminal was handed over to RSGT, the Saudi Arabian port management company, under a public-private partnership. This is the first terminal in Bangladesh to be released for long-term operation under a public-private partnership for the first time. However, due to various obstacles in the beginning, the company could not utilize the full capacity of the terminal. As a result, the container handling rate was also low. However, with the addition of new facilities, the handling rate of goods using the terminal has increased rapidly.

Before the addition of four state-of-the-art gantry cranes to the terminal's fleet, containers were handled using the traditional method, i.e. ship's cranes. The annual container handling capacity of the Patenga Container Terminal is about 450,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units).