The Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) will launch the first-ever Mongla-Chittagong feeder service from February 14 next.
This is aimed at meeting growing demand for transportation of containerised cargoes from the country's south-western districts to Chittagong.
This is the first move by the state-owned organisation to carry exportable goods from the region by completing all procedures relating to shipment.
Currently, exporters, mostly frozen and jute goods producers, are transporting their goods by road that often causes uncertainty due to political programmes.
They suffer adversely while carrying the goods by road as the route often faces shortages of ferries. In many cases, they miss their shipment schedules for such type of uncertainty on the roads.
BSC managing director Commodore Moqsumul Quader said, "We'll launch our trial operation from next Friday."
Mr. Quader said: "Initially, one voyage in each week will be launched and later the frequency will rise depending on the demands."
The BSC managing director also said the initial demand for Chittagong-bound cargoes will be around 300 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units).
The BSC will engage one of its container vessels named 'Banglar Sikha' on the route.
Sources at the BSC said there are many frozen fish plants in the Khulna region. Besides, a large number of jute producing factories are also located in the region.
Following lack of such type of services, only a few foreign shipping companies have Mongla-Singapore-Colombo services. But, they cannot provide any Mongla-Chittagong services.
The foreign shipping companies including Singapore-based Pacific International Lines (PIL) face troubles like low draught in the river water while carrying the cargoes to and from Mongla.
However, the BSC vessel has capacity of carrying more than 500 TEUs.
Md Nizamuddin, general manager (chartering), told the FE that the state-owned BSC had adequate feasibility study on the matter.
"We've met the people concerned. They welcomed the move," Mr. Nizamuddin said. The BSC official said the exporters will be able to send their cargoes to the Chittagong port within 24 hours.
He also said carrying cost on the route by their vessel will be much less than the road routes.
However, the BSC has fixed charges at US$ 120 for each 20-foot container, $ 150 for refer container and $90 for empty container.
Nazmul Huq, a jute goods producer and former chairman of the Bangladesh Jute Mills Association told the FE: "The move taken by the BSC is quite okay. But the charges are quite high."
Mr Huq said such type of services, however, is required to grow the export-oriented industries in the southern, western and northern regions of the country.
