Mandatory use of Mongla port for govt imports under study

Syful Islam Mandatory use of the Mongla port for carrying out all imports in the public sector to ensure better utilisation of its capacity is now under active consideration of the government. The Ministry of Commerce (MoC) has been tasked with the responsibility to check whether the mandatory use of the Mongla port for the all public sector imports is possible. According to the present policy, 60 per cent of imported food grains and fertilisers are required to be unloaded through the Chittagong Port and 40 per cent through the Mongla Port. Available statistics show that only 42 per cent of goods handling and 54 per cent of container handling capacities of the Mongla port was utilised last fiscal. During the last fiscal year the Mongla port handled 2.7 million tonnes of goods and 27,123 TEUs (twenty feet equivalent units) of containers against its capacity of 6.5 million tonnes and 50,000 TEUs respectively. In a recent meeting, shipping secretary Abdul Mannan Howlader said increased use of the Mongla port will help make it profitable. He said the capacity of the port can be used further if jute goods, raw jute, frozen shrimp and apparel items are exported through it. Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping (MoS) Abdul Kuddus informed the meeting that steps had been taken to further increase the port facilities, including that relating to container handling. New and necessary equipment have been added to enhance the loading and unloading capacity of the port. Representative from the Bangladesh Jute Mills Association (BJMA) told the meeting that there was dearth of ships in the Mongla port. He said export of jute and jute goods through the port will increase significantly if ships are available there. The meeting decided to build a shade at the Mongla port on priority basis for storage of jute and jute goods. The National Board of Revenue (NBR) will be requested to open a customs office at the port so that the works related to customs procedures can be performed there expeditiously. At present the works are being done from the customs office located in Khulna. It also decided to give priority to goods laden vehicles at ferries to and from Mongla port so that no export and import activities are hampered. The Mongla port had handled loading-unloading of 1.64 million tonnes of goods by 190 ships in fiscal year 2009-10 against 1.13 million tonnes goods by 151 ships in 2008-09. During the last 10 years, the port handled the highest number of 455 ships in FY 2004-05. Abdus Salam Murshedy, president of Exporters Association of Bangladesh told the FE that there existed a huge potential of Mongla port once the industries were relocated to the nearest districts. "If the government can offer gas, electricity and developed infrastructure, many industrialists are ready to relocate their establishments on the opposite side of Padma river and use the Mongla port to avoid congestion at Chittagong port," he said. He added that it takes more than 24 hours for a truck to reach Chittagong Port. In some cases, trucks remain stranded there even for 48 hours to unload goods. Businesses will feel encouraged to relocate their factories after the Padma Bridge is constructed, he felt. "This will also help reduce pressure on Chittagong seaport," he said adding some of the businessmen have already started relocating their factories.