No new vessel included in Shipping Corporation's fleet in 17 years
Wednesday, 19 November 2008
Our Correspondent
CHITTAGONG, Nov 18: Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) is gasping for survival since no new vessel has been included into its fleet for last 17 years and most of the 12 vessels in the existing fleet are already scrapped exceeding their operational time limit of 25 years.
One BSC official told the FE that if BSC was not modernised like Bangladesh Biman through proper investment, it might face natural death very shortly.
Sources informed, BSC had earned profit of Tk 400 million with these old vessels during last fiscal without any patronisation of the government.
Some experts and professional persons are struggling to keep afloat the only national flag carrier on marine routes. But the existing human resources development is very poor and even only one-third of the total strength of the human resources are active.
Revenue of BSC has also declined alarmingly in this persisting global financial crisis. While the freight charge for carrying fertiliser in the month of October last was $98 per tonne, it has reduced to only $28 in the current month.
Under the circumstances, addition of new vessel in BSC fleet has become urgent; otherwise, it may face extinction within a short time, sources apprehended.
CHITTAGONG, Nov 18: Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) is gasping for survival since no new vessel has been included into its fleet for last 17 years and most of the 12 vessels in the existing fleet are already scrapped exceeding their operational time limit of 25 years.
One BSC official told the FE that if BSC was not modernised like Bangladesh Biman through proper investment, it might face natural death very shortly.
Sources informed, BSC had earned profit of Tk 400 million with these old vessels during last fiscal without any patronisation of the government.
Some experts and professional persons are struggling to keep afloat the only national flag carrier on marine routes. But the existing human resources development is very poor and even only one-third of the total strength of the human resources are active.
Revenue of BSC has also declined alarmingly in this persisting global financial crisis. While the freight charge for carrying fertiliser in the month of October last was $98 per tonne, it has reduced to only $28 in the current month.
Under the circumstances, addition of new vessel in BSC fleet has become urgent; otherwise, it may face extinction within a short time, sources apprehended.