1. INTERVIEW6 CARGOTALK JULY 2015
Boosting sea trade with Bangladesh
QWhat kind of cargo is
expected to be
handled by both the
Chittagong and Mongla
Ports?
The economic lifeline of
Bangladesh is largely dependent on
the Chittagong and Mongla Ports.
Chittagong Port, being largest sea
port of the country, currently handles
about 92 per cent of country’s
seaborne trade, while Mongla Port
takes a partial share. Annual growth
rate of Chittagong Port is above 13
per cent, and in 2014 Chittagong Port
handled 1.73 million TEUs. Both the
ports have the facilities of handling
bulk cargo, lighter vessels and con-
tainers. As regards the Coastal
Shipping Agreement between
Bangladesh and India, Bangladesh
has taken some steps and initiatives
to cope with the increased
port operation. The Bangladesh
Government has already undertak-
en various projects for enhancing
capacities of the two ports
which would facilitate handling
of all types of cargo and container
expected to increase in the
coming days.
QWhat is the expected
redistribution of cargo
between the two ports?
Would it generate
additional cargo too?
Both Chittagong and Mongla
Ports have restrictions in terms of
draft and lengths of ships. In
Chittagong Port, the length of a ship
is restricted to 190 metres and draft
to 9.5 metres, while Mongla Port can
handle ships of lower draft and length.
With a view to reducing
pressure on Chittagong, Mongla
Port enjoys some special privileges
for providing benefits to port users.
It is now in the process of
enhancing its total capacity
as well.
QAre the ports going
to serve as
transhipment hubs for
Indian cargo?
Both Chittagong and Mongla
Ports would provide necessary facilities
to all concerned according to the
Coastal Shipping Agreement between
the two countries.Transshipment is the
choice of importers or exporters and
shipping agencies as provided by
the agreement.
QHow much increase
in trade is expected?
Multimodal connectivity plays a
vital role in promoting trade and com-
merce between countries. With
the signing of Coastal Shipping
Agreement, I firmly believe that
bilateral relations between
Bangladesh and India would strength-
en further in all areas of cooperation.
In respect of trade, it is likely to
increase manifold that cannot be
quantified at this moment.
QThe new port ‘Payra’
is to be developed
between Chittagong and
Mongla. Does the
government plan to
develop it along the lines
of Chittagong Port?
The Chittagong Port has been
handling cargo at its optimum level.
Amongst many other challenges,
Chittagong and Mongla Ports cannot
accommodate large modern ships
mainly due to shallow draft in the
channels. Over the period,
the exports and imports of the
country have increased manifold,
but port facilities have not been
developed accordingly. In order
to address these issues, the
Government has decided to
construct Payra Deep Sea Port
at Rabnabad channel in Patuakhali
district in South.This port is expected
to contribute significantly in the
overall economy of Bangladesh.
It is also expected to lessen the
ever increasing pressure on
Chittagong and Mongla Ports.
Experts are of the opinion that Payra
Deep Sea Port is likely to become
a popular maritime hub because
of its excellent location and
future potential.
Over the years of its functioning,
Chittagong Port has already come up
as an internationally recognised
port. Our Government has taken
a mega project for constructing
a modern deep sea port at Payra
within a short span. So this project
has been included among eight
fast track projects of the country.
The project is being closely monitored
by the Prime Minister’s Office.
Described as a major turning point for trade and bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh, the Coastal
Shipping Agreement signed by the Prime Ministers of both the countries will enhance connectivity and bring
about a decrease in logistics costs and time.Shafique Alam Mehdi, Secretary, Ministry of Shipping, Government
of Bangladesh shares how exactly the agreement would benefit the two nations.
ABEER RAY
Shafique Alam Mehdi
Secretary
Ministry of Shipping, Government of Bangladesh