BSC to procure new ships by 2021

10pc div declared as net profit hits Tk 550m

Our Correspondent | November 21, 2019 12:00:00

Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) Managing Director (MD) Commodore Sumon Mahmod Sabbir (C) addressing a view exchange meeting with journalists in Chattogram on Wednesday — FE photo

CHATTOGRAM, Nov. 20: Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) will procure two Mother Bulk Carrier ships, 10 Lighterage ships, two Mother Tankers and two Mother Product Oil tankers by 2021.

Managing Director (MD) of BSC Commodore Sumon Mahmod Sabbir disclosed it at a view exchange meeting with journalists on Wednesday. It was arranged before the 42nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the organisation. The meeting was held at the BSC headquarters in the port city.

He said, "Presently, BSC has only eight ships. Of these, six were procured from China last year. The said newly-procured ships are MV Banglar Joyjatra, MV Banglar Shomridhi, MV Banglar Orjon, Banglar Agrojatra, Banglar Agradut and Banglar Agrogoti. Besides, there were two ships of BSC named Banglar Shourav and Banglar Joty which were procured in 1987 from Denmark."

He said, "BSC earned Tk 230 crore and 7 lac in the fiscal year 2018-19 while it expended Tk 174 crore and 84 lac. So, the net profit of BSC is Tk 55 crore and 23 lac. As a result, the 302nd meeting of the managing committee of BSC held on October 15 last, recommended 10 per cent dividend for the share holders."

He further said, "BSC earned Tk 129 crore and 44 lac in 2017-18 while it expended Tk 116 crore and 92 lac. The net profit of BSC was Tk 12 crore and 52 lac."

"Bangladesh is importing coal for Rampal, Pyra, Matarbari coal-based power projects. So, we want to maintain the supply chain of coal in the country. We have already planned to procure two Mother Bulk Carrier ships in this regard. We also planned to procure at least 10 lighterage ships for lightering of the coal in Bangladesh," he added.

He also said, "We have planned to carry total crude oils for the Eastern Refinery in future. So we have taken up a project to procure Mother Tankers. Besides, we will procure Mother Oil Tanker with 80MT capacity for carrying diesel and jet fuels."

"Moreover, we have planned to procure six LNG vessels within 2041. We will procure the said LNG vessels under a Government to Government arrangement at a low interest rate," he added.

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