Shipping ministry moves to appoint Saudi RSGT as Chattogram Container Terminal operator

Highlights:

• Shipping ministry directs process to appoint Saudi RSGT as CCT operator
• RSGT earlier proposed operating CCT, General Cargo Berth with $1b investment
• CCT handled about 16% of Ctg Port's container throughput in 2025
• Move comes as govt advances foreign operation of NCT
• Ministry has not specified CCT's tenure, financial terms or investment obligations

The Ministry of Shipping has directed the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) to initiate the process of appointing Saudi Arabia-based Red Sea Gateway Terminal (RSGT) as the operator of the Chattogram Container Terminal (CCT).

The directive was issued on 28 September but came to light just a day after the government gave in-principle approval to a 15-year concession agreement for the operation and maintenance of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) and Overflow Container Yard (OCY) by an international operator.

In a letter signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Farzana Hossain, the shipping ministry asked the chairman of the Invest Bangladesh Authority to process the appointment letter for RSGT as the operator of the CCT.

The letter referred to RSGT's expression of interest in implementing two CPA projects under the public-private partnership (PPP) model: CCT and General Cargo Berths, as well as the Bay Port-Multipurpose Terminal.

The Invest Bangladesh Authority is requested to process the letter for appointment of RSGT as operator for the CCT, it added.

RSGT expressed interest in CCT, GCB

The development follows a competitive process involving several international and local operators for the CCT.

The Dubai-based DP World and Saudi Arabia-based RSGT submitted separate proposals to operate the CCT on 8 April and 22 April, respectively, while local conglomerate MGH Group also submitted a proposal.

RSGT confirmed to The Business Standard in May that it was interested in operating both the CCT and the General Cargo Berth (GCB), saying it planned to invest around $1 billion if selected.

The CCT is strategically located between the NCT and GCB and handled about 16% of Chattogram Port's container throughput in 2025, according to port data. 

The NCT handled around 44%, the GCB accounted for about 36% and Patenga Container Terminal nearly 4%.

RSGT already operates the Patenga terminal under a 22-year concession secured in 2024.

The latest move also comes as the government advances the proposed foreign operation of the NCT, the port's largest container-handling facility.

Yesterday, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs gave in-principle approval to a draft 15-year concession agreement for an international operator to upgrade, operate and maintain the NCT and OCY. 

The Public Private Partnership (PPP) Authority's project profile identifies DP World, nominated by the government of Dubai, as the proposed operator.

The NCT handled around 44% of Chattogram Port's total container volume last year, making it the largest container-handling facility at the country's principal seaport.

The government previously awarded the development and operation of the greenfield Laldia Container Terminal to Denmark-based APM Terminals under a long-term PPP concession.

The latest shipping ministry directive means the operation of another major existing terminal, CCT, is now moving towards a foreign operator, with RSGT named in the official correspondence.

The ministry's letter, however, does not specify the tenure, financial terms or investment obligations of the proposed CCT arrangement. Those details are expected to be determined through the subsequent PPP and concession process.