Mongla, Apr 12 (V7N)– In a move aimed at reducing export costs and enhancing trade facilities for the Khulna region, container ship traffic is set to resume on the domestic route connecting Mongla and Chittagong seaports for the first time in Bangladesh's history. An entrepreneurial organization has announced that this long-awaited route will be operational by the middle of this month.

"For the first time in the country, container ship traffic is being launched on the domestic route between Mongla and Chittagong seaports to reduce export costs... The entrepreneurial organization has announced that this route between these two ports will be launched by the middle of this month," reported Abu Hossain Suman from Mongla.

Mongla, the country's second-largest seaport, has seen a significant revival and expansion in recent years, transforming into a profitable institution. Increased commercial ship arrivals have boosted the port's activity and income. However, container ship traffic has been infrequent, occurring roughly once a month due to various logistical challenges and additional costs. Despite this, the Khulna region holds substantial potential for exporting goods such as fish, frozen products, and jute.

"The second sea port of the country, Mongla... is now a profitable institution... However... container ships pass through this port more or less once a month. However, this region has a wide scope for exporting various types of products including fish, frozen products and jute," Suman noted.

Syed Zahid Hossain, president of the Mongla Port Berth and Ship Operators Association, highlighted the issue of high container fares at Mongla Port due to low import volumes and the added cost of bringing empty containers from Chittagong. He emphasized that establishing regular container ship traffic between the two ports would significantly reduce both time and export costs.

"Syed Zahid Hossain... said, 'Container imports are low at Mongla Port... if container ships are introduced on the Chittagong-Mongla route, the time and export costs will be reduced,'" Hossain stated.

Chittagong-based shipping agent 'Sea Glory' has taken the initiative to capitalize on this potential by planning to transport containers on smaller vessels along the Chittagong-Mongla route. Their primary focus will be on transporting empty containers from Chittagong to Mongla, where they will be filled with export goods and then shipped internationally via Chittagong. The company reported a successful trial run of this route recently.

"Meanwhile, a shipping agent in Chittagong named 'Sea Glory' has taken the initiative... The company wants to transport containers on small ships on the Chittagong-Mongla route... The businessmen of the company said that they have also benefited from operating the ship once on a trial basis recently," Suman reported.

Mainul Hossain, manager of 'Sea Glory' in Chittagong, emphasized the need for a streamlined process, similar to operations at Pangaon Inland Container Terminal, where empty containers are efficiently moved to facilitate exports. He believes that treating their service as a feeder line could complicate the process.

"Mainul Hossain... said, 'If we are treated as a feeder, then our processes will become more complicated. If containers are taken from Chittagong like in Pangaon, then empty containers are taken to Mongla port, then the processors will be easy and it will be possible to accelerate the business,'" Hossain explained.

He further announced that following a successful trial run in February involving the transport of 100 TEUs (approximately 70 containers), 'Sea Glory' will officially commence regular container transport on the Chittagong-Mongla port route from mid-April. The initial exports will include fish, frozen products, and jute, destined for international markets via Chittagong.

"Mainul Hossain also said that in February, a trial domestic route was carried out at the Chittagong-Mongla port... Since it was successful, they will now officially start regular container transport on the Chittagong-Mongla port route from mid-April. He also said that these containers will be filled with fish, frozen products, and jute and exported abroad via Chittagong," Suman reported.

Captain Rafiqul Islam, Chairman of the Bangladesh Shipping Agents Association (Khulna), stressed the urgency of overcoming the container crisis to ensure regular exports. He called for both ports to adopt a liberal approach and provide special facilities to importers and shipping lines operating on the Chittagong-Mongla route to ensure the sustainability of this initiative.

"Captain Rafiqul Islam... said, 'Due to the container crisis, we are not able to export goods regularly abroad... special facilities should be given to importers and those who will launch ships on the Chittagong-Mongla route. Otherwise, they will not be able to do a regular one,'" Captain Islam urged.

Rear Admiral Shaheen Rahman, Chairman of the Mongla Port Authority, highlighted the port's current dynamism and potential, emphasizing ongoing infrastructural developments and expansion projects. He believes that the effective implementation of container transport on the Chittagong-Mongla route will have a significant positive impact on the country's economy and further boost import and export activities at Mongla Port.

"Mongla Port Authority Chairman Rear Admiral Shaheen Rahman said, 'At this moment, Mongla Port is more dynamic and promising than ever before... If container transport on the Chittagong-Mongla route becomes effective, it will have a positive impact on the country's economy,'" Rear Admiral Rahman affirmed.

The resumption of container ship traffic on this domestic route marks a potentially significant step towards streamlining logistics, reducing costs, and boosting the export capabilities of the Khulna region, with anticipated positive ripple effects on the national economy.

END/AHS/RH/