Patenga Container Terminal installs four new quay gantry cranes

Container loading and unloading operations from ships to jetty using the cranes will begin from next month

Authorities have added four quay gantry cranes (QGCs) to the Patenga Container Terminal (PCT) at the Chittagong Port, marking a major boost to its handling capacity.

The specialised vessel MV Lan Hai Hong Yun arrived at the port on Friday evening carrying the four cranes.

Chittagong Port Authority Secretary Nasir Uddin told bdnews24.com on Saturday that preparations were in place to ensure safe berthing of the vessel.

“The ship was safely berthed at night carrying the four QGCs. All marine services were ensured by the port for this operation,” he said.

He added that the supplier will now install and commission the cranes at the jetty, after which they will be brought into operation.

“Once completed, these QGCs will significantly increase the capacity of the PCT,” he said.

The cranes, manufactured by China’s Sany Marine Heavy Industry, are valued at $30 million.

Container loading and unloading between vessels and the jetty using the cranes is expected to begin next month.

The terminal is operated by Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Gateway Terminal (RSGT), which procured the cranes through its own investment.

Last year, RSGT also purchased 14 rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes worth $26 million.

RSGT Bangladesh Commercial and Public Relations Head Syed Aref Sarwar said the cranes arrived smoothly and will now be unloaded from the vessel.

The new cranes are electrically powered, which is expected to reduce fuel consumption and support environmental sustainability, according to RSGT.

Mounted on rail tracks, they will allow simultaneous operations on two vessels.

The annual container handling capacity of PCT is around 450,000 TEUs.

In 2025, it handled 154,564 TEUs across 78 vessels, including 93,340 TEUs of export cargo and 61,224 TEUs of imports.

Operations had previously slowed due to the absence of a scanner for import container inspection, but efficiency improved after RSGT installed one in May last year at a cost of $3 million.

Under a 22-year concession agreement, PCT was handed over to RSGT in April 2024, with the operator assuming full operations in June 2024.