Saudi operator launches e-portal to digitise operations at Patenga Container Terminal
The portal is expected to streamline shipment tracking, billing processes, and communication among port stakeholders.
Saudi operator Red Sea Gateway Terminal yesterday (8 February) launched an e-portal at Patenga Container Terminal in Chattogram to digitalise operations, improve container and vessel monitoring, and reduce reliance on manual paperwork.
The portal is expected to streamline shipment tracking, billing processes, and communication among port stakeholders.
The launch event was held at the Daliah Hall of The Peninsula Hotel in Chattogram, chaired by Syed Aref Sarwar, head of commercial at Red Sea Gateway Terminal, and moderated by Alifa-e-Junnurine, head of marketing.
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Speakers included Sayed Tarique, head of operations; Khairul Alam Sujan, former vice president of the Bangladesh Freight Forwarders Association (BAFFA); and Shahed Sarwar, deputy managing director of Chowdhury Group.
Aref Sarwar described the initiative as the first phase of a multi-step process aimed at bringing clearing and forwarding agents, shipping lines, and port operators onto a unified digital platform.
"Last year, in the fourth quarter, we outlined a plan to move our operations from manual workflows to a digital system. This first phase of the e-portal has now been completed, and usage has already begun," he said.
He added that the current phase focuses on container tracking, vessel departures, and updates on upcoming ships, while future phases will introduce billing and invoice management.
Sarwar also acknowledged implementation challenges, including equipment procurement and process alignment, and thanked stakeholders for their cooperation.
How the e-portal works
The e-portal allows users to track shipments and monitor vessel schedules in real time.
Containers can be tracked using either a container number or a bill of lading (BL) number.
Users enter the container ID to view shipment details and a progress tracker showing the full movement timeline.
For BL tracking, users select the relevant option, enter the BL number, and choose the associated container from a dropdown list.
Tracking results can be printed directly from the results page.
The portal includes a Vessel Schedule section with three tabs – Working, Arriving, and Departed – showing vessels currently handling cargo, scheduled arrivals, and completed departures.
Additional details such as vessel name, visit ID, VOY number, service ID, actual time of departure, and cutoff times are available through the "Check More" option. A search bar allows users to locate specific vessels.
The Help & Support section provides frequently asked questions and user guidance, while the Contact Us option allows users to submit queries.
An email address and helpline number are also displayed for assistance.
A Bangla-language version of the portal is accessible through a toggle at the top-right corner.
Trade impact and stakeholder response
Khairul Alam Sujan said the portal enables clearing and forwarding agents and shipping operators to monitor container delivery orders remotely, helping reduce delays caused by manual processes and office closures.
Speakers said the system is expected to reduce paper-based transactions, improve transparency, optimise yard operations, and enhance planning for container and vessel management.
Shahed Sarwar said the portal introduces systems comparable to global practices in Singapore, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia.
He noted that real-time container updates and improved trade mechanisms could help prevent long-stay containers from occupying yard space and reduce physical handling of documents and vessels.
Red Sea Gateway Terminal plans to continue testing and refining the portal based on user feedback, with future phases aimed at full digitalisation and integration with customs and other port systems.
Speakers said the initiative marks a step toward modernising port operations and aligning them with international standards.
