Wedoany.com Report-Nov. 27, MSC, through its inland logistics subsidiary Medlog, has secured a concession to operate and upgrade the Pangaon Inland Container Terminal (PICT) on the Buriganga River near Dhaka, Bangladesh. The agreement represents one of the largest commitments by a global shipping line to the country's inland waterway infrastructure.

Medlog will manage terminal operations, introduce advanced automation systems, and expand capacity at PICT, which is strategically located close to the Dhaka–Mawa–Bhanga Expressway. The enhanced facility is projected to handle approximately 160,000 TEU annually. Medlog will also charter barges to strengthen river transport links between Pangaon, other inland terminals, and Bangladesh's seaports.

The investment aims to shift a larger share of domestic container traffic from roads to inland waterways, reducing congestion and improving connectivity between the capital region and coastal gateways.

MSC chief executive Soren Toft said: "Our investment in the Pangaon Inland Container Terminal reflects our belief that Bangladesh has the potential to become one of South Asia's major gateways for regional and global trade."

Salvatore Prudente, Medlog's executive director, said: "By investing in dedicated river terminals, barge links and multimodal infrastructure, we are committed to reducing carbon emissions, easing urban congestion and supporting our customers' growth."

The project supports broader efforts to modernize Bangladesh's logistics network and increase the use of environmentally efficient river transport for containerized cargo.

This development follows recent foreign investments in the country's port sector, including APM Terminals' $550 million agreement earlier this year to develop and operate the new Laldia Container Terminal in Chattogram. That facility, scheduled to open in 2030, will add significant capacity and enable the port to accommodate larger vessels.

Together, these initiatives are expected to strengthen Bangladesh's overall maritime and inland logistics capabilities, supporting continued growth in the country's export-oriented manufacturing and trade sectors.