Maersk to build ICD at Ctg port investing Tk 2.0b
Sunday, 28 October 2007
Jasim Uddin Haroon
The Maersk Line, one of the leading main line operators in the world, is planning to invest in Bangladesh's port infrastructure.
The world's shipping giant is going to construct a full-fledged modern private inland container depot (ICD) in the port city, which will support the country's main Chittagong port to boost its cargo handing.
Sources at the Maersk Bangladesh Limited said that it would invest at least Tk 2.0 billion for the construction of the ICD in the port city.
M Nurul Alam, deputy managing director of the Maersk Bangladesh, told the FE that it was looking for a suitable land at Sitakunda and its adjoining areas for the project.
"We hope to move forward shortly once we get the land. It will take at least nine months for construction of the ICD," he added.
Currently, there are 12 ICDs in the port city, operated by private companies. The depots accommodate mainly export cargoes and select import goods.
Port users said the capacity of the ICDs is overstretched.
Apart from this, the ICDs are beset with equipment problems, port users alleged.
However, Maersk Bangladesh claimed that it would install new equipment and its productivity would be higher than that of the existing ICDs.
Sources said the ICD will be constructed on 25 acres of land initially and there will be provision for future expansion.
"We think, the ICD on the 25 acres of land will meet the demand over the next two to three years, and that there should be scope for future expansion," Nurul Alam said.
Maersk Bangladesh, which handles around 30 per cent of the country's export trade will also provide its services to other port users.
The company also constructed such ICD in neighbouring India and other parts of the world.
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has also taken a move for construction of its own ICD at Sitakunda in Chittagong to aiming to speed up exports.
The Maersk Line, one of the leading main line operators in the world, is planning to invest in Bangladesh's port infrastructure.
The world's shipping giant is going to construct a full-fledged modern private inland container depot (ICD) in the port city, which will support the country's main Chittagong port to boost its cargo handing.
Sources at the Maersk Bangladesh Limited said that it would invest at least Tk 2.0 billion for the construction of the ICD in the port city.
M Nurul Alam, deputy managing director of the Maersk Bangladesh, told the FE that it was looking for a suitable land at Sitakunda and its adjoining areas for the project.
"We hope to move forward shortly once we get the land. It will take at least nine months for construction of the ICD," he added.
Currently, there are 12 ICDs in the port city, operated by private companies. The depots accommodate mainly export cargoes and select import goods.
Port users said the capacity of the ICDs is overstretched.
Apart from this, the ICDs are beset with equipment problems, port users alleged.
However, Maersk Bangladesh claimed that it would install new equipment and its productivity would be higher than that of the existing ICDs.
Sources said the ICD will be constructed on 25 acres of land initially and there will be provision for future expansion.
"We think, the ICD on the 25 acres of land will meet the demand over the next two to three years, and that there should be scope for future expansion," Nurul Alam said.
Maersk Bangladesh, which handles around 30 per cent of the country's export trade will also provide its services to other port users.
The company also constructed such ICD in neighbouring India and other parts of the world.
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has also taken a move for construction of its own ICD at Sitakunda in Chittagong to aiming to speed up exports.