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Initially, for approximately two to two and a half years, the terminal will exclusively accommodate geared vessels, utilising onboard cranes for container handling.
Golam Mainuddin, senior executive director at SHR Group, a partner with the port’s first foreign operator, outlined operational protocols, emphasising equitable vessel berthing and competitive dynamics among domestic operators.
The terminal’s operational phase will gradually transition to accommodate gearless vessels following the installation of three gantry cranes, a process expected to span around two years.
Equipped with three container jetties and one dolphin oil jetty, the terminal is designed to concurrently host three container ships and one oil tanker, enhancing Chittagong Port’s handling capacity to an anticipated 450,000 TEUs annually.
The terminal’s operation, under a 22-year agreement with Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Gateway Terminal International (RSGTI), signifies a significant shift from traditional port management models.
Chittagong Port Authority (CPA), backed by the Public Private Partnership Authority Bangladesh, embarked on this partnership to optimise port efficiency, and reduce operational costs.
Transitioning from the tool port system to the landlord concept, Chittagong Port aims to foster competition, efficiency, and global competitiveness.
Mohammed Shafiqul Alam Jewel of the Bangladesh Shipping Agents’ Association anticipates streamlined operations and enhanced efficiency, which will benefit shipping agents and mainline operators, elevating Bangladesh’s standing in the global maritime sector.
While the terminal’s construction, completed in June 2022, faced delays in operator recruitment, its imminent operation heralds a transformative phase in Chittagong Port’s evolution.
The G2G agreement with RSGTI signifies a strategic departure from initial management plans, highlighting the government’s commitment to optimising port infrastructure and fostering international partnerships for sustainable growth.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DR)