Red Sea International Gateway Terminal Company (RSGTI), a port operation and management specialist, has inaugurated the container terminal at Chittagong Port in the People's Republic of Bangladesh after an investment worth $170 million, a step aimed at enhancing port infrastructure and expanding the company's presence in global maritime markets.

The project is the first international concession contract for port management in Bangladesh's history, and also represents the first operation by a Saudi company of a port terminal outside the Kingdom, as part of the trend of Saudi companies expanding their investments in the logistics sector and emerging markets, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 aimed at enhancing the Kingdom's position as a logistics hub and global investor.

The company stated that since the signing of the 22-year concession contract in 2023, the terminal has undergone a comprehensive operational upgrade, including the supply of four modern ship-to-shore cranes and advanced container handling equipment, which increased the capacity from 250,000 TEUs to 600,000 TEUs.

It added that these upgrades increased the terminal's productivity by about 30% compared to regional ports and terminals, making it one of the most technically advanced container terminals in Bangladesh.

Group CEO Lars Vang Christensen said the project reflects the company's ability to transfer its operational expertise to international markets, stressing that the Chittagong terminal represents the start of a path aimed at expanding the company's presence among major port operators in emerging markets.

He indicated that the company is considering pumping additional investments of up to $1 billion into the Bangladeshi maritime sector, a step reflecting a long-term commitment to developing infrastructure and enhancing trade movement in the region.

Advanced operational capabilities

The terminal includes a quay with a length of 580 meters, storage yards covering more than 200,000 square meters, and a draft depth of 9.5 meters, allowing large vessels to be accommodated and reducing waiting times, in addition to the ability to handle three ships simultaneously.

The company notes that these capabilities have improved the efficiency of loading and unloading operations and enhanced the capacity of one of the most important commercial ports in South Asia.

The project comes at a time when the port and logistics sector is seeing an expansion in investments directed at emerging markets, driven by continuous growth in global trade and the need to develop port infrastructure.

Supporting global trade

The Saudi investment in Chittagong Port reflects the trend of national companies toward diversifying their foreign investments and capitalizing on opportunities in international trade routes, supporting the growth of the maritime transport and logistics sector and enhancing commercial connectivity between Asia and the Middle East.

The Red Sea International Gateway Terminal Company operates six terminals inside and outside the Kingdom, with an operational capacity exceeding 9.5 million TEUs and 30 million tons of general cargo annually, while its main terminal at Jeddah Islamic Port handles about 40% of total container throughput in the Kingdom, making it one of the largest container terminal operators on the Red Sea.