In a decisive move to de-bottleneck Bangladesh’s primary maritime gateway, the MGH Group finalized an agreement with the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) on April 28, 2026, to develop a private container terminal at Patenga. Located on 7 acre along the Karnaphuli River, the ‘MGH Terminal’ will feature a 250-m jetty specifically engineered to process 40,000 TEUs per month. For the readymade garment (RMG) sector - which accounts for 82 per cent of national exports - this infrastructure is critical. Current data indicates, while Chittagong Port handled a record 3.4 million TEUs in 2025, the addition of specialized private berths is expected to slash vessel turnaround times by 30 per cent. This efficiency gain is essential for exporters facing tightening lead times from global fast-fashion retailers.
Infrastructure resilience and global competitiveness
The strategic shift toward private participation comes as inland container depots (ICDs) recently announced an 8.5 per cent hike in handling charges due to rising energy costs. The MGH Terminal offers a high-velocity alternative, designed to eliminate waiting times at outer anchorages - a historical pain point for shipping lines. Localized infrastructure investment is the only sustainable response to the projected 11 per cent growth in cargo throughput, noted a senior maritime consultant. By integrating private investment with the landlord port model, Bangladesh is positioning its textile value chain to better compete with regional rivals. The terminal’s capacity to handle 3,500 TEUs at any given time ensures that the supply of raw materials and the dispatch of finished apparel remain insulated from broader port congestion.
Logistics and supply chain vanguard
A Singapore-headquartered multinational specializing in supply chain solutions, the MGH Group represents seven global shipping lines in Bangladesh. The conglomerate serves major retail brands like Inditex and Carrefour across 23 countries. Currently expanding its port footprint, MGH targets a revenue surge through integrated logistics as it prepares for Bangladesh’s LDC graduation.
