Indo-Bangla coastal shipping service SOP yet to get Delhi\\\'s nod

Syful Islam | Published: February 24, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2024 06:01:00

The standard operation procedure (SOP), a vital component for introducing coastal shipping service between Bangladesh and India, is yet to get approval from New Delhi even nearly six months after it was sent by Dhaka, official sources said.
The SOP contains detailed written instructions for achieving uniformity of the performance of a specific function.
Bangladesh in September last year sent the draft of both SOP and agreement to India for its approval as part of bilateral efforts to start shipping service through coastal routes.
After a few weeks, India sent back the draft agreement with its views mentioning the need for some changes. Later, Bangladesh again sent the draft incorporating India's views which is now at a final stage.
However, India is yet to give its opinion on draft of the SOP.
Officials said the SOP and the agreement need to be finalised and signed by both the parties before starting the coastal shipping service.
The ministry of shipping on February 12 sent a reminder to India through the ministry of foreign affairs seeking Delhi's views on the draft SOP.
When contacted, director general of the department of shipping (DoS) Zakiur Rahman Bhuiyan told the FE India is yet to send back the draft SOP with its views which needs to be finalised and signed before starting the service.
He said the agreement is now at a final stage and is ready to be signed, but the SOP is yet to get a shape due to lack of Indian response.
Asked about the possible date of introduction of the service Mr Bhuiyan said the date is yet to be finalised as necessary vessels for its beginning are not available.
He said only one vessel named MV Rodela is found to be fit for the coastal shipping service. "We have sent the documents and necessary papers of the vessel to the ministry of shipping for sending those to India for its approval."
Mr Bhuiyan earlier said none of the 18 private sector vessels, a list of which was forwarded by the Bangladesh Coastal Ship Owners Association (COAB), was found fit for voyage to Indian ports.
He said due to non-availability of fit vessels, introduction of the much-talked-about coastal shipping service is delayed again and again.
The Bangladesh-India Joint Consultative Commission at a meeting on September 20 last year agreed to commence the trial run of the coastal service by October 15, 2014 for better connectivity and reduction of transportation cost of goods.
The coastal shipping service is supposed to use three Bangladeshi and four Indian ports. The three Bangladeshi ports are Chittagong, Mongla and Payra. The Indian ports are Paradip in Orissa, Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, Haldia in Paschimbanga and Kakinada port near Chennai.
Â syful-islam@outlook.com