The terminal, located at Chittagong Port, Bangladesh’s largest seaport and principal gateway for international trade, is expected to substantially increase container-handling capacity following the deployment of four specialized gantry cranes that arrived on site on Friday, company officials said.

RSGT has operated the Patenga Container Terminal since June 2024 under a 22-year concession agreement with the Chittagong Port Authority. The company described the past two years as a preparation and soft-launch phase focused on infrastructure upgrades, workforce development and technology deployment.

“The final phase of equipment requirements has now been completed,” Sayed Aref Sarwar, head of commercial and public affairs at RSGT Bangladesh, said, adding that the new cranes are expected to become operational by mid-July.

Manufactured by China’s SANY, the cranes are designed to handle two 40-foot containers simultaneously, a capability not previously available at Bangladeshi ports. According to the company, the equipment will operate entirely on electricity, eliminating the use of fossil fuels during crane operations and supporting the terminal’s low-emissions strategy.

Chittagong Port handled approximately 3.41 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in 2025, maintaining its position as the busiest container port on the Bay of Bengal and the country’s most important maritime trade hub.

RSGT currently processes about 155,000 TEUs annually at Patenga. With the new equipment entering service, the company expects throughput to rise to around 400,000 TEUs this year, accounting for roughly 12% of Chittagong Port’s total container traffic.

The terminal’s annual capacity is projected to exceed 500,000 TEUs in 2027, equivalent to approximately 17% of the port’s container volume, according to company estimates.

The expansion reflects Saudi Arabia’s growing commercial footprint in South Asia and underscores efforts by Bangladeshi authorities to modernize port infrastructure to accommodate rising trade volumes and improve logistics efficiency.

RSGT said it has invested approximately $170 million in upgrading the terminal since assuming operations. The company employs around 500 permanent staff and approximately 800 contract workers, all of whom are Bangladeshi nationals.

Company officials said employees have undergone specialized training both domestically and abroad, including operational programs in Saudi Arabia, as part of efforts to address skills shortages in Bangladesh’s port sector.

RSGT is the first foreign operator to manage a Bangladeshi port facility, a development viewed by industry observers as part of broader efforts to attract international expertise and capital into the country’s transport and logistics infrastructure.

The deal, signed with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), covers a 500-hectare site within a special economic zone about 100 kilometers north of Manila. The project is expected to supply renewable electricity to the rapidly growing industrial and technology hub.

BCDA estimates the investment at a minimum of $400,000 per megawatt, with total project capacity reaching up to 500 MW upon full completion.

Philippine Finance Secretary Frederick Go said the investment would help attract new businesses, create jobs and strengthen economic growth, while ACWA Power Chief Executive Samir Serhan described the project as an opportunity to support industrial expansion with reliable and lower-cost renewable energy.

The development forms part of ACWA Power’s broader expansion into Southeast Asia and follows discussions with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on clean energy investments.

The forum, held under the theme “A Spirit of Dialogue,” provides a strategic platform for Saudi Arabia to share its Vision 2030 experience while reinforcing partnerships that address shared global challenges in an increasingly interconnected world.

Prince Faisal emphasized that long-term prosperity cannot be achieved by governments acting alone, stressing that meaningful collaboration between the public and private sectors is essential for sustainable growth, resilience, and innovation.

He noted that Saudi Arabia views the World Economic Forum as a vital space for exchanging ideas on economic transformation, environmental responsibility, technological advancement, and human development, all of which are core pillars of the Kingdom’s national vision and reform agenda.

The Saudi delegation includes senior officials responsible for finance, investment, economy and planning, commerce, tourism, industry and mineral resources, as well as communications and information technology, reflecting the breadth of the Kingdom’s reform efforts.

Their participation in bilateral meetings and public sessions is aimed at deepening cooperation with international partners, attracting investment, and showcasing Saudi Arabia’s progress in diversifying its economy beyond oil while strengthening institutional capacity and competitiveness.

Prince Faisal highlighted that Saudi Arabia continues to develop new business models and policy frameworks that encourage innovation, enhance productivity, and create high-quality investment opportunities aligned with global trends.

He added that the Davos forum enables constructive engagement with governments, business leaders, and civil society representatives on pressing issues such as global economic uncertainty, climate challenges, digital transformation, and inclusive growth, all of which require collective action and shared responsibility.

Saudi House will also return to Davos in 2026 after its successful debut, hosting more than 20 focused sessions on investment, human capability development, quality of life, and global collaboration.

These sessions are designed to present Saudi perspectives, facilitate dialogue, and build bridges between international stakeholders, reinforcing the Kingdom’s image as an active contributor to global solutions rather than a passive participant.

The 56th World Economic Forum annual meeting is expected to attract around 3,000 participants from nearly 130 countries, including heads of state, government officials, CEOs, and thought leaders.

Saudi Arabia’s strong presence at the forum reflects its confidence in its reform trajectory and its willingness to engage openly with the world to promote stability, shared prosperity, and sustainable development through dialogue and cooperation.