The Patenga Container Terminal (PCT) of Chittagong port, built at a cost of 1000 crore rupees, may be launched next March. The Saudi Arabia-based Red Sea Gateway Terminal (RSGT), which has been given the responsibility of operation, has already started preparations for commissioning the facility. Apart from recruiting manpower, the company is procuring machinery. According to the conditions of operation, they will collect the necessary equipment used in the movement of goods.
If the terminal is fully operational, the mobility of Chittagong port will increase. Container handling capacity will increase to around five lakh TEUS (20-foot equivalent containers). Last year, the country’s main seaport handled 300,000 TEUS containers.
The PCT has been built at a cost of Tk 1,150 crore with the port’s own funding. Initially, it was decided that it would be managed by the Port Authority, but later the government decided to move away from it and manage it under Public-Private Partnership (PPP). Then some of the world’s renowned port management companies showed interest. Eventually RSGT of Saudi Arabia got the responsibility of managing this terminal.They will conditionally operate the terminal for the next 22 years. An agreement was signed with RSGT on December 6 last year.
Secretary of Chittagong Port Authority. Omar Farooq said, “The agreement has been made.” RSGT is preparing to launch the terminal within the stipulated time. Expect to start operational activities within four months from the date of contract. Gantry cranes are one of the large pieces of equipment needed to operate the terminal. It may take time to bring this crane. Other equipment they can bring in less time. Container handling can be done even if the gantry crane is delayed.
Another official associated with the PCT project said that the RSGT authority has taken over the responsibility of the terminal. They have started the process of bringing in handling equipment. Recruiting manpower for various posts. The company can start container handling by March. However, it may take two years to start full operational activities.
Sources related to the project said that the work of PCT started in 2019. The project has three container and one oil discharge (Dolphin) jetty. They can carry four ships at once. Two of the container jetties will have state-of-the-art ‘key gantry cranes’. One can accommodate gearless (craneless) ships and the other gear (craned) ships.
At the four jetties of the PCT, four ships will be able to berth goods simultaneously. As a result, the pressure of the ship at the outer anchorage of the port will be reduced. The ship does not have to sit for a long time waiting for the discharge of goods. Average dwell time of ships will decrease. Due to the depth of the sea here, relatively large ships can be accommodated. Vessels of 10 meters draft (part of the vessel under water) and 200 meters long can enter the jetty.
A 200 meter long ship has already been successfully launched on an experimental basis. Besides, six thousand containers can be stored together in the yard.
After 18 long years, the users of Chittagong port will get a new terminal when PCT is launched. The port’s latest Neumooring container terminal was built in 2006. Although there is an increase in the country’s import and export every year, the infrastructure of Chittagong port has not increased compared to that for a long time. Therefore, the businessmen were demanding the construction of more new terminals. 92 percent of the country’s import-export by sea passes through Chittagong port.